“GENUINELY HORRIFYING” — WIFE WAITED OUTSIDE THE ROLLER COASTER EXIT AS A FAMILY’S DAY OUT TURNED INTO A NIGHTMARE

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old father and Atlanta educator, died after being ejected from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. As his family struggles to process the loss, heartbreaking accounts of his final moments have raised urgent questions about what happened.

What began as a family celebration ended in a tragedy no one could have imagined.

On October 12, 2026, Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was visiting Six Flags Over Georgia near Atlanta with relatives to celebrate his niece’s 13th birthday. He was riding Goliath, a towering roller coaster known for reaching approximately 200 feet and speeds of up to 70 miles per hour.

According to relatives, Kariem was seated beside his niece when the ride began. His family later shared an account of what she reportedly witnessed during those terrifying moments. <Cite refs={[“turn515479news19″,”turn515479search14”]} />

A FAMILY WAITING FOR A RIDE TO END

While Kariem was aboard the coaster, family members who were not riding waited nearby, expecting an ordinary end to an exciting attraction.

His wife and daughter were reportedly not on the ride and did not initially know what had happened. The sudden emergency transformed a family outing into a moment of confusion and heartbreak.

Relatives later described how Kariem’s niece recalled him appearing to lose consciousness before his restraint apparently came loose. That account has intensified questions about the moments leading up to his fall, although investigators have not yet established the precise cause.

For his loved ones, the uncertainty surrounding those final moments has made an already devastating loss even harder to comprehend.

FOUR CHILDREN WERE ALSO INJURED

The Cobb County Police Department confirmed that officers responded to the incident at approximately 3:58 p.m. and found Kariem beneath the attraction, unresponsive and not breathing.

According to preliminary witness and employee interviews, he was ejected from the ride and struck other patrons before falling beneath the coaster. Four children were also injured and taken for medical care.

The incident prompted an investigation by the department’s Major Crimes Unit, alongside a review of the ride and its safety systems by state authorities.

Officials have not confirmed what caused Kariem to leave his seat. Although relatives have raised questions about the restraint, it would be premature to conclude that a specific safety mechanism failed before investigators release their findings.

A BELOVED FATHER AND EDUCATOR

Beyond the investigation, Kariem is being remembered as a family man and educator whose life extended far beyond the roller coaster where the tragedy occurred.

He worked at Wesley International Academy in Atlanta, where he had built a career in education and technology. His death has left relatives and members of the school community mourning someone whose life was intertwined with the people he loved and the students he served.

For his family, the priority now is grieving and remembering Kariem, while seeking answers about how such a devastating incident could happen.

QUESTIONS REMAIN AS THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

Goliath was temporarily closed following the incident. State regulators and local investigators are examining the available evidence, including the ride’s equipment and relevant records. The coaster’s last reported inspection in March 2026 found no restraint-related violations, according to reporting by The Associated Press. <

That earlier inspection does not, by itself, explain what happened on October 12. Investigators must still determine the sequence of events and whether any changes or additional precautions are needed.

❤️ A day intended to celebrate a child’s birthday became a memory this family will carry forever. As they mourn Hassan Kariem, they are also left waiting for answers that may help explain the tragedy.