“GENUINELY HORRIFYING”: WIFE AND FAMILY LEFT DEVASTATED AFTER HASSAN KARIEM’S FATAL SIX FLAGS ROLLER COASTER INCIDENT

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, was celebrating his niece’s birthday at Six Flags Over Georgia when he was ejected from the Goliath roller coaster. His family is now searching for answers as investigators work to establish exactly what happened.

A family outing that was supposed to be filled with laughter and happy memories ended in tragedy when Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem died during a ride on the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on October 12, 2026.

The 42-year-old Atlanta educator was visiting the amusement park with relatives to celebrate his niece’s birthday. According to his family, he was excited to ride Goliath, an attraction he particularly enjoyed.

But the celebration took a devastating turn when Kariem was ejected from the coaster. Cobb County police said preliminary information gathered from witnesses and park employees indicated that he struck other passengers before falling beneath the ride. He was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead.

HIS NIECE WITNESSED THE TERRIFYING MOMENTS

In the days following the incident, Kariem’s brother-in-law, Joshua Nelson, shared an account of what his daughter said she witnessed while seated beside her uncle.

According to Nelson, the young girl recalled that Kariem appeared to pass out during the ride. She then described the coaster moving up and down before his restraint appeared to come loose and he fell.

These details were relayed by a family member recounting a child’s account. They have not been established as the official cause of the incident, and investigators have not yet publicly confirmed why Kariem was ejected.

For the family, the thought of a child witnessing such a traumatic event adds another layer of heartbreak to an already devastating loss.

Nelson said he hoped his brother-in-law had not experienced pain during his final moments. He also expressed the uncertainty many families face after a sudden tragedy, questioning whether the incident could have been prevented.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RIDE REMAIN UNANSWERED

Goliath is a large roller coaster known for its steep drops and speeds approaching 70 miles per hour. The ride reaches heights of approximately 200 feet, making it one of the park’s major attractions.

Following Kariem’s death, the ride was closed while authorities began investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire also launched an investigation, while the coaster’s manufacturer, Bolliger & Mabillard, said it was examining the incident and would not comment further until more was understood.

Although the family has raised questions about the restraint, officials have not confirmed that a safety mechanism failed. Determining what happened will require the findings of the ongoing investigation.

FOUR YOUNG RIDERS WERE ALSO INJURED

The incident affected more than Kariem and his immediate family. Cobb County police later confirmed that four other passengers were injured during the incident. All four were juveniles and were transported to hospitals for treatment.

Authorities reported that none of the four injuries was life-threatening.

In response to the tragedy, Six Flags temporarily closed several similar roller coasters at other parks for precautionary inspections. The additional closures brought renewed attention to amusement-park safety and the procedures used to inspect rides and secure passengers.

However, the closures alone do not establish that a defect caused Kariem’s death.

REMEMBERING A FATHER AND DEDICATED EDUCATOR

Beyond the tragedy, Kariem was remembered as a devoted father and a valued member of his school community.

He worked at Wesley International Academy in Atlanta, where he served as an IT manager, technology teacher and robotics coach. The school described him as a cherished member of its community whose presence and impact would be deeply missed.

For his loved ones, the loss is not simply a story about a roller coaster accident. It is the sudden absence of a father, relative, colleague and friend whose life touched many people.

His family must now navigate their grief while waiting for answers about the circumstances of his final moments.

A FAMILY STILL SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS

The investigation into Kariem’s death remains ongoing. Authorities have not publicly established the definitive cause of the incident, and questions about the ride’s restraint system remain unresolved.

His family’s account has brought a deeply personal perspective to a tragedy that has also raised wider questions about amusement-park safety.

For those closest to him, however, the most important thing is remembering the man they loved and finding a way forward after an unimaginable loss.

May Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem’s family find strength and comfort as they grieve, and may the investigation provide clear answers about what happened that day.