“HE WAS SO EXCITED TO RIDE”: Family Outing Turns Into Tragedy as Father Dies on Six Flags Roller Coaster

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, was celebrating a family birthday at Six Flags Over Georgia when a ride on the Goliath roller coaster ended in disaster. His niece was sitting beside him when he fell from the attraction, leaving his loved ones devastated and demanding answers.

What was supposed to be a joyful family celebration became a day Hassan Kariem’s loved ones will never forget.

The 42-year-old Atlanta man had visited Six Flags Over Georgia on October 12, 2026, to celebrate his niece’s 13th birthday. Surrounded by family, he was looking forward to riding one of his favourite roller coasters.

But moments after the Goliath ride began, something went terribly wrong.

Hassan was ejected from the attraction and fell to his death, according to investigators. His niece, who was seated beside him, witnessed the horrifying incident.

Now, as his family struggles to cope with the sudden loss, relatives are remembering a devoted husband, father and educator whose life revolved around his loved ones, his students and his passion for technology.

“THIS IS MY FAVOURITE RIDE — I’M SO EXCITED TO BE HERE”

Hassan’s brother-in-law, Joshua Nelson, shared details of the family’s final moments together before the tragedy.

According to Nelson, Hassan was genuinely excited about riding Goliath. Before boarding, he spoke enthusiastically to his niece about the attraction.

His reported final words to her were: “This is my favorite ride. I’m so excited to be here.”

The pair sat next to each other as the roller coaster climbed and plunged along its track.

But the excitement quickly turned into terror.

Nelson said his daughter later described Hassan appearing to lose consciousness before his restraint seemingly came loose and he fell from the ride.

“She said he fainted or passed,” Nelson told reporters, recounting his daughter’s account of what happened.

He explained that the girl was confused and frightened after the fall. Once she was safely off the attraction, she called her father in tears, struggling to explain what she had witnessed.

Nelson said he initially found the account difficult to believe.

The family has since been left with painful questions about the circumstances of the incident and whether it could have been prevented.

Importantly, investigators have not publicly confirmed that a restraint failure caused Hassan’s fall.

WHAT HAPPENED ON THE GOLIATH ROLLER COASTER?

The incident occurred at Six Flags Over Georgia, an amusement park near Atlanta in Cobb County, Georgia.

Police identified the victim as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, of Atlanta.

According to preliminary information gathered through witness and employee interviews, Hassan was ejected from the ride, struck other patrons and then fell beneath the attraction.

He was found dead at the scene.

Other people were reportedly injured during the incident, although their injuries were not described as life-threatening in initial reports.

The Goliath roller coaster is one of the park’s major attractions. It rises approximately 200 feet and reaches speeds of up to 70 miles per hour.

The ride was closed following Hassan’s death while authorities began investigating what had happened.

Cobb County police launched an investigation, and Georgia’s Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner also examined the incident.

The coaster’s manufacturer, Bolliger & Mabillard, said it was investigating the incident and would not comment further until more information became available.

For Hassan’s family, the central question remains how a routine amusement park visit could end with a husband and father losing his life.

A DEVOTED FATHER, HUSBAND AND EDUCATOR

Beyond the headlines, Hassan was a man whose family and work meant everything to him.

He worked in education and technology at Wesley International Academy in Atlanta, where he had previously taught technology before becoming an information technology manager.

Atlanta Public Schools described him as a valued member of the school community.

Relatives said Hassan loved Atlanta, enjoyed working with children and had a genuine passion for technology.

He was also devoted to his family and played an important role in the life of his young daughter.

His loved ones described him as generous, caring and always willing to show up for the people around him.

They want the public to remember the man he was, rather than allowing the circumstances of his death to overshadow a lifetime of relationships, kindness and service to others.

“HE WAS THE SUNSHINE OF OUR FAMILY”

Hassan’s relatives have spoken about the enormous hole his death has left in their lives.

His cousin, Geo Ashe, described him as the “sunshine” of the family, expressing how difficult it was to comprehend that someone so loved could be gone so suddenly.

The family has also recalled the ordinary moments that made Hassan special: spending time together, sharing meals and bringing people together during family gatherings.

He was known for his cooking and enjoyed preparing food for relatives. His loved ones have spoken fondly of the effort he put into family celebrations and the happiness he brought to those around him.

Hassan had also overcome two bouts of lymphoma, according to family members.

His survival through those difficult years made his sudden death all the more devastating for the people who had stood beside him.

For his wife and daughter, the loss is immeasurable. A family outing that should have produced happy memories has instead become a painful reminder of how quickly life can change.

QUESTIONS ABOUT SAFETY AND THE INVESTIGATION

The family has questioned whether Hassan’s death could have been prevented.

Nelson said part of him viewed the incident as a terrible accident, but he also wanted to know whether anything could have been done differently.

Those questions have taken on greater significance as authorities examine the ride and its safety systems.

Georgia’s Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner previously said the Goliath had undergone an inspection in March and that no warning signs had been identified during that inspection.

However, a previous inspection does not, by itself, establish what happened on the day of the accident.

Investigators must determine the sequence of events, including why Hassan was ejected from the ride and whether any mechanical, operational or other factors contributed to the fatal fall.

Following the incident, several similar roller coasters at other Six Flags parks were temporarily taken out of service for additional safety reviews, according to reports.

The