“GENUINELY HORRIFYING”: WIFE WAITED NEAR ROLLER COASTER AS FAMILY’S DAY OUT TURNED INTO TRAGEDY

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, was celebrating his niece’s birthday at Six Flags Over Georgia when a ride on the towering Goliath roller coaster ended in tragedy. As investigators work to establish exactly what happened, relatives are sharing the heartbreaking account of his final moments.

What began as a family celebration became a day of unimaginable grief.

On October 12, 2026, Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was riding Goliath, a massive roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia that reaches heights of around 200 feet and speeds of up to 70 mph.

According to Cobb County police, preliminary witness and employee interviews indicated that Kariem was ejected from the ride, struck other parkgoers and fell beneath the attraction. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Several other people, including four children, were reportedly injured in the incident.

A FAMILY STILL STRUGGLING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED

Kariem’s relatives have described the devastating experience of trying to piece together the final moments of a loved one who had gone to the park to enjoy a special day with family.

His brother-in-law, Joshua Nelson, shared an account relayed by his daughter, who was seated beside Kariem on the ride. According to Nelson, she said Kariem appeared to pass out before his restraint may have come loose.

That account has intensified the family’s questions about how the tragedy unfolded. However, investigators have not confirmed that he fainted or established whether a restraint malfunction occurred.

The family is left grieving while waiting for answers about an incident that has changed their lives forever.

A BELOVED TEACHER AND DEVOTED FAMILY MAN

Beyond the headlines, Kariem was remembered as a dedicated educator who spent more than 12 years working at Wesley International Academy in Atlanta.

He served as an IT manager, technology teacher and robotics coach, helping students develop skills and explore their interests.

His school community described him as a cherished member of its staff whose presence and impact would be deeply missed.

For his family, he was much more than the victim of a tragic amusement park incident. He was a father, husband, relative and friend whose absence leaves a lasting void.

INVESTIGATORS SEARCH FOR ANSWERS

The Cobb County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding Kariem’s death. Georgia’s Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire is also examining the incident.

Six Flags said it was cooperating with authorities. The company temporarily closed nine similar roller coasters across six parks as a precaution while the investigation continued.

As of the latest reports, officials had not publicly established what caused Kariem to leave his seat or whether a mechanical or restraint failure contributed to the incident.

For those who loved him, the questions are deeply personal: What happened on that ride, and could this tragedy have been prevented?

Until investigators reach their conclusions, the family continues to mourn a man whose day at the amusement park was supposed to be filled with happy memories.

May Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem be remembered for the lives he touched, the students he taught and the family who loved him.