“THIS IS MY FAVORITE RIDE — I’M SO EXCITED TO BE HERE” — FATHER DIES ON SIX FLAGS ROLLER COASTER AS HIS 13-YEAR-OLD NIECE SITS BESIDE HIM

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was celebrating a family birthday when an outing filled with excitement turned into tragedy. Now, his grieving family is asking whether the fatal incident could have been prevented.

A family trip to an amusement park has ended in unimaginable heartbreak after a 42-year-old father died while riding a roller coaster alongside his young niece.

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, from Atlanta, Georgia, died on October 12, 2026, after falling from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia.

He had visited the park with family members to celebrate his niece Navi’s 13th birthday. According to relatives, the two were seated beside each other when the devastating incident occurred.

What should have been a joyful birthday memory has instead become a moment the family is struggling to comprehend.

HIS FINAL WORDS WERE FILLED WITH EXCITEMENT

Hassan’s brother-in-law, Joshua Nelson, recalled the excitement surrounding the family outing.

Before boarding Goliath, Hassan reportedly told his niece: “This is my favorite ride. I’m so excited to be here.”

Those words have taken on a heartbreaking significance for his loved ones, who are now left remembering the happiness he expressed just moments before the tragedy.

Nelson said his daughter later described seeing Hassan become unresponsive as the roller coaster travelled along its track. She reportedly said his restraint appeared to come loose before he fell.

The account comes from the family’s recollection of what the teenager experienced. Investigators have not yet confirmed exactly what caused Hassan to fall.

A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE FOR HIS YOUNG NIECE

According to Nelson, Navi was crying after the ride and struggling to understand what had happened to her uncle.

She reportedly told her father that she did not know where Hassan had gone after he fell from the attraction.

For the family, the incident has brought grief alongside concern for the young girl who witnessed the frightening events unfold beside her.

Nelson has spoken publicly about his hope that Hassan’s final memories were of the excitement he felt before boarding the ride, rather than the tragedy that followed.

His words reflect a family trying to hold on to one last happy moment while facing an enormous loss.

A DEVOTED FATHER, EDUCATOR AND TECHNOLOGY ENTHUSIAST

Away from the amusement park, Hassan was remembered as a dedicated father, husband and respected member of Atlanta’s education community.

He worked as an IT manager at Wesley International Academy, where he had spent more than a decade contributing to the school community. He was also involved in technology education and robotics.

His family described him as someone who loved Atlanta, enjoyed working with children and had a genuine passion for technology.

The Atlanta Public Schools community also paid tribute to him, remembering his impact on students and colleagues.

For those who knew Hassan, his life was defined by much more than the circumstances of his death. He was a family man, a mentor and a person whose presence mattered to the people around him.

COULD THE TRAGEDY HAVE BEEN PREVENTED?

That is the question now weighing heavily on his family.

Nelson acknowledged that the incident could have been a freak accident, but said he also wondered whether it might have been prevented.

Authorities have confirmed that Hassan was ejected from the Goliath roller coaster. Police said preliminary information indicated that he struck other patrons before falling beneath the attraction.

Four young people were also reported injured in the incident, although their injuries were described as non-life-threatening.

The Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner is investigating what happened. Officials have said the ride was last inspected in March 2026 and that the inspection did not identify warning signs related to the incident.

Six Flags has expressed condolences to Hassan’s family and confirmed that it is cooperating with authorities.

The Goliath attraction remains closed while the investigation continues. No definitive cause has been announced.

A FAMILY WAITING FOR ANSWERS

Six Flags Over Georgia reopened on October 16, but the Goliath roller coaster remained closed.

For Hassan’s loved ones, the priority is not the reopening of an amusement park. It is understanding how a birthday celebration became a tragedy and ensuring that the circumstances surrounding his death are thoroughly examined.

Their questions cannot be answered by speculation. Investigators must establish what happened, including whether a mechanical issue, a medical emergency or another factor played a role.

Until those findings are available, the cause of the incident remains unresolved.

Hassan’s family is left with memories of a man who was excited to spend time with the people he loved — and with the devastating knowledge that the outing ended in a way nobody could have imagined.

A birthday meant to create happy memories has become a day his family will never forget.

May Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem rest in peace, and may his loved ones find strength as they wait for answers.