HEARTBREAKING FINAL MOMENTS: FATHER, 42, DIES AFTER FALLING FROM SIX FLAGS ROLLER COASTER WHILE CELEBRATING HIS NIECE’S 13TH BIRTHDAY

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was enjoying a family day out at Six Flags Over Georgia when a ride on his favorite roller coaster ended in tragedy. Now, his family is searching for answers as investigators work to determine what happened.

A family birthday celebration turned into an unimaginable tragedy after a 42-year-old father fell from a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia in Mableton, Georgia, on October 12, 2026.

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was visiting the amusement park with relatives to celebrate his 13-year-old niece Navi’s birthday. According to his family, the beloved educator was seated beside the teenager on the Goliath roller coaster when the incident unfolded.

What should have been a joyful memory became a devastating experience for the young girl, who witnessed her uncle’s final moments.

“THIS IS MY FAVORITE RIDE” — HIS LAST WORDS BEFORE THE TRAGEDY

Kariem’s brother-in-law, Joshua Nelson, later shared details of the family’s heartbreaking account of what happened.

According to Nelson, Kariem had been excited about riding Goliath. Shortly before boarding, he reportedly told his niece, “This is my favorite ride, I’m so excited to be here.”

Nelson also recalled that Kariem had asked the teenager to hold his sunglasses before the ride began — an ordinary family interaction that has since taken on heartbreaking significance.

As the roller coaster traveled along its track, Navi reportedly saw her uncle lose consciousness before his safety restraint appeared to come loose.

“She said he fainted, or he passed out,” Nelson explained in an interview with local media, recounting what his daughter told him afterward.

The family believes Kariem may have lost consciousness before falling from the ride. However, investigators have not independently confirmed that account or established whether the restraint malfunctioned.

According to police, Kariem was ejected from the attraction before striking other riders and falling beneath the ride.

A TERRIFIED TEENAGER CALLED HER FATHER

After the incident, Navi reportedly contacted her father in tears, struggling to understand what had happened to her uncle.

Nelson recalled that his daughter told him she did not know where Kariem had gone after he fell.

At first, he struggled to comprehend what she was describing. The family soon learned the devastating truth.

Kariem’s wife, Eboni, had been waiting outside the attraction while her husband rode with family members. According to reports, she sensed that something was wrong before hearing an announcement that someone had died at the park.

She feared the victim might be her husband.

The family later confirmed Kariem’s death. Navi was not physically injured, but she had witnessed an event that her loved ones say has left the family in shock.

Nelson has spoken about hoping that his brother-in-law’s final memory was one of excitement and happiness before the tragedy.

WHO WAS HASSAN KARIEM?

Beyond the circumstances of his death, Kariem was remembered as a devoted family man and a valued member of Atlanta’s education community.

He worked as an information technology manager, technology teacher and robotics coach at Wesley International Academy, a public charter school in Atlanta. Reports indicate that he had spent more than 12 years working at the school.

Colleagues and community members remembered his dedication to students and the positive influence he had on the people around him.

Nelson described Kariem as someone who loved Atlanta, technology and working with children.

He also recalled a thoughtful gesture that reflected Kariem’s personality: the uncle had made a Harry Potter-themed cake topper featuring Navi for her birthday celebration the night before the tragedy.

For the family, that small act of kindness has become a lasting reminder of the person they have lost.

“He always showed up and he had a pure heart,” Nelson said, describing a man who was always willing to give to others.

Kariem’s death has left his relatives mourning a husband, father, uncle and educator whose life was closely connected to his family and community.

WHAT HAPPENED ON THE GOLIATH ROLLER COASTER?

The incident occurred shortly before 4 p.m. on October 12, according to reports.

The Cobb County Police Department said preliminary information gathered from witnesses and park employees indicated that Kariem was ejected from the ride and struck other patrons before falling beneath the attraction.

Responding officers found him unresponsive and not breathing. He was subsequently pronounced dead.

Four children were also injured in the incident. Authorities said their injuries were not life-threatening, and the children were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Goliath is one of the park’s signature attractions. The roller coaster opened in 2006, rises approximately 200 feet and reaches speeds of up to 70 mph. Its ride lasts roughly three and a half minutes and features steep drops and high-speed turns.

The circumstances that caused Kariem to fall remain unknown.

INVESTIGATORS SEARCH FOR ANSWERS AS SAFETY QUESTIONS EMERGE

The Cobb County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit and Georgia’s Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire are investigating the incident.

Authorities are working to establish how Kariem was ejected from the ride and whether any mechanical, medical or other factors contributed to the tragedy.

The Georgia agency is responsible for overseeing amusement ride safety in the state. Officials have said the incident is being investigated, but no definitive cause has been publicly established.

The ride had reportedly undergone an inspection in March 2026. Available reports indicated that the inspection did not identify restraint-related violations. That information, however, does not establish what happened during the October incident.

The manufacturer of Goliath, Swiss company Bolliger & Mabillard, has also said it is investigating and will refrain from further comment until more is known.

Following the incident, several similar roller coasters at Six Flags parks across the United States and Canada were temporarily closed while the company reviewed the situation.

Six Flags Over Georgia subsequently reopened, but Goliath remained closed pending further developments.

A FAMILY LEFT WITH GRIEF — AND QUESTIONS

For Kariem’s relatives, the investigation is about more than determining the sequence of events. They want to understand whether the tragedy could have been prevented.

Nelson acknowledged that part of him believes it may have been an unforeseen accident, while another part continues to question whether something could have been done differently.

The family is waiting for investigators to provide answers as they begin to navigate life without a man they describe as generous, loving and deeply committed to those around him.

For Navi, a birthday outing that was supposed to be filled with excitement has become a memory marked by loss. For Kariem’s wife and other relatives, the questions surrounding his final moments remain painfully unresolved.

The investigation continues, and officials have not announced a definitive explanation for the incident.

Hassan Kariem’s family is now left holding on to the memories of a man who went to celebrate a child he loved — and whose final words, according to his relatives, were filled with excitement about the day ahead.