“THIS IS MY FAVORITE RIDE!” — DAD’S HEARTBREAKING FINAL WORDS BEFORE FATAL SIX FLAGS ROLLER COASTER INCIDENT

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, was celebrating his niece’s 13th birthday when tragedy struck aboard the Goliath roller coaster in Georgia. Now, his family is sharing the young girl’s account of the terrifying moments that followed.

What was meant to be a joyful family birthday celebration turned into a tragedy that has left a family searching for answers.

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old father and school technology educator from Atlanta, died on October 12, 2026, after being ejected from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia.

He had been enjoying a day at the amusement park with family members to celebrate his niece’s 13th birthday. According to his brother-in-law, Joshua Nelson, Hassan was seated beside the young girl when the incident occurred.

Before boarding the ride, Hassan reportedly shared words that his family would later hold close to their hearts.

“This is my favorite ride. I’m so excited to be here,” he said, according to Nelson.

They would become the words his loved ones remembered most painfully.

A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION TAKES A DEVASTATING TURN

The Goliath is one of the park’s major attractions, rising approximately 200 feet and reaching speeds of up to 70 mph.

According to the family’s account, Hassan appeared to lose consciousness as the coaster moved through its course. His niece reportedly told relatives that his restraint then appeared to come loose before he fell from the ride.

Authorities said preliminary information from witness and employee interviews indicated that Hassan was ejected from the coaster, struck other riders and fell beneath the attraction.

He was pronounced dead following the incident. Four young people were also injured and taken to hospital, but their injuries were reported as non-life-threatening.

The details remain under investigation, and the family’s account of the restraint has not yet been established as the official cause of the tragedy.

“I DON’T KNOW WHERE HE WENT”

Nelson said his daughter was deeply shaken by what she had witnessed.

After getting off the ride, the young girl reportedly called him in tears, struggling to understand what had happened to her uncle.

“She was like, ‘I don’t know where he went,’” Nelson recalled.

For the family, the birthday outing had been an opportunity to make happy memories together. Instead, they were left trying to comprehend an incident that unfolded in moments.

Nelson has questioned whether the tragedy could have been prevented, but the family is awaiting the results of the official investigation before drawing conclusions.

 A DEVOTED FATHER, EDUCATOR AND TECHNOLOGY LOVER

Away from the roller coaster, Hassan was remembered as a dedicated father, husband and educator who cared deeply about children and technology.

He worked at Wesley International Academy in Atlanta, where he served as an IT manager, technology teacher and robotics coach. The school community described him as a valued member of its staff.

His family said he loved Atlanta, enjoyed working with young people and took pride in sharing his knowledge.

To those closest to him, he was far more than the man at the centre of a tragic news story. He was a father, husband, uncle and family member whose presence mattered deeply.

Now, his loved ones are trying to support one another while waiting for answers about what happened that day.

 INVESTIGATORS SEARCH FOR ANSWERS

Cobb County police and Georgia’s Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire are investigating the incident.

Officials have said the Goliath was last inspected in March 2026, with no restraint-related violations reported during that inspection. The finding does not, by itself, establish what happened during the October incident.

The ride remains closed while the investigation continues. Six Flags has said it is cooperating with authorities and offering support to those affected.

The tragedy has also renewed questions about amusement-park safety and how restraints are inspected and monitored. For Hassan’s family, however, the most immediate concern is understanding how a day intended to celebrate a child’s birthday ended in such devastating circumstances.

Nelson said the family is standing together and hopes to give Hassan a proper farewell once the investigation has progressed.

 THE WORDS HIS FAMILY WILL NEVER FORGET

In the aftermath, Hassan’s reported final words have taken on a heartbreaking meaning.

He had been excited to ride an attraction he loved, surrounded by family as they celebrated a special occasion. His relatives are now left holding on to that memory while waiting for investigators to explain what happened.

No official conclusion has yet established why Hassan was ejected from the ride or whether a mechanical or procedural failure contributed to the incident.

For his family, the loss is already immeasurable.

A birthday trip that began with excitement has become a memory marked by grief — and a family’s search for answers about the man they loved.

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