“HE HAD ALREADY SURVIVED SO MUCH” — FATHER OF TWO DIES AFTER TRAGEDY ON SIX FLAGS ROLLER COASTER

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old Atlanta educator, had reportedly overcome cancer and survived a car fire with his daughter weeks before his life ended in a devastating incident at Six Flags Over Georgia. Now, his family is left grieving as investigators work to establish what happened.

A family trip that should have created happy memories has instead left a family mourning the loss of a beloved father.

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, died on October 12, 2026, after being ejected from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, near Atlanta. His death has prompted an extensive investigation and renewed attention to amusement park safety.

For those who knew him, Hassan was more than the man at the centre of a tragic news story. He was a father of two, a husband, and an educator whose work touched the lives of students and colleagues.

His death has left loved ones facing a painful reality while authorities continue examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A FATHER WHO HAD ALREADY FACED SERIOUS CHALLENGES

According to reports citing his family, Hassan had survived cancer and COVID-19. He had also reportedly survived a car fire with his daughter just weeks before the roller coaster incident.

The news has made his sudden loss especially difficult for those mourning him. A man who had faced significant challenges in his life was gone following an incident during what should have been a day of family entertainment.

However, investigators have not yet established why he was ejected from the ride, and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under review.

WHAT HAPPENED ON THE GOLIATH ROLLER COASTER?

Police said officers working at the park responded to the incident at approximately 3:58 p.m. on October 12.

According to the Cobb County Police Department, preliminary information from witness and employee interviews indicated that Hassan was ejected from the ride and struck other patrons before falling beneath the attraction. Officers found him unresponsive and not breathing.

Four other people, all minors, were reportedly taken to hospital following the incident. Their injuries were described in subsequent reports as non-life-threatening.

Witnesses described a frightening scene, with riders and bystanders trying to understand what had happened. The park responded to the incident, and authorities began investigating.