Hᴀssan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old technology teacher and IT manager from Atlanta, died on October 12, 2026, after being ejected from the Goliath hypercoaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. He had previously beaten cancer and, just weeks earlier, survived a serious car fire with his young daughter. His family and community continue to grieve a man many described as a devoted educator, father figure, and “hero.”
Kariem was at the park that Monday afternoon celebrating his niece’s 13th birthday. According to relatives, he was seated next to the girl on the ride. His last words to her, shared by a family member, were that Goliath was his favorite attraction and that he was excited to be there. Shortly before 4 p.m., he fell from the 200-foot-tall coaster, which reaches speeds of up to 70 mph. Preliminary accounts from witnesses and park staff indicate he was thrown from his seat, struck other riders, and landed beneath the structure. Officers found him unresponsive and not breathing. Four other people were injured in the incident.
His niece later told her father that Kariem appeared to pᴀss out during the ride before a latch on the restraint “snapped” or came loose, after which he fell. Other riders reported hearing unusual clicking sounds from the restraints and said staff checked the bars multiple times before the train departed. Some witnesses also claimed the Goliath had been closed for maintenance earlier that same day.
Kariem’s sister, Andrea Clark, spoke emotionally about her brother’s life. She said he had been in remission from cancer since 2015 and remained healthy and able-bodied despite other challenges. About a month before the amusement-park tᩚraɢedy, he and his 10-year-old daughter escaped a car fire without serious injury even though the vehicle was destroyed. Clark called him “my hero” and “an amazing person,” adding that “the coolest part about me was him.” She described his dєatᩚh as deeply unfair after everything he had already overcome. Family members also noted that he worked hard to support his loved ones and helped raise his fiancée’s daughter, whom he had known since she was three.
Colleagues and school officials remembered Kariem as a cherished member of Wesley International Academy, where he served as IT manager, technology teacher, and robotics coach. Atlanta Public Schools extended condolences to his family. A relative described him as someone with a “pure heart” who loved children, technology, and his city.
The Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire, which oversees amusement-ride safety, is investigating alongside Cobb County police. Officials confirmed that Goliath’s most recent state inspection occurred on March 16, 2026, and found no violations, deficiencies, or red tags at that time. Under state law, the ride must remain closed until the investigation is complete. Six Flags Over Georgia reopened to the public on October 16, but Goliath stays offline with no announced reopening date. The company has also temporarily closed similar coasters at other parks as a precaution and said it is fully cooperating with authorities. The manufacturer, Bolliger & Mabillard, stated it is reviewing the incident.
No official cause for the fall has been released. Investigators are examining the restraint system, maintenance records, operations, and witness statements. The family continues to seek answers while mourning a man who had already survived significant hardships only to lose his life on a family outing.
Sources : New York Post
