A man identified as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42‑year‑old IT manager and educator from Atlanta, died in a tragic incident when he was ejected from the Goliath rollercoaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday. The rider fell to the ground after the vehicle crashed into another cart before he was plummeted underneath the ride. Six Flags has temporarily shut down nine rides across North America and an investigation is underway by local police and state safety inspectors.
Police said the incident happened just before 4pm local time, and that witnesses saw the man exit the seat and collide with fellow riders before falling beneath the attraction. Aerial footage from park cameras showed the Goliath stop midway as the riders were ejected. The state insurance‑and‑fire‑safety commissioner’s office is also reviewing the ride’s safety protocols.
Family members say Kariem survived two bouts of cancer and recently had survived a car crash with his 10‑year‑old daughter. He worked for more than a decade at Wesley International Academy as an IT manager, tech teacher and robotics coach, and was beloved by his students. His passing has rocked the local school community.
This is the seventh death at a Six Flags park in the last fifteen years, with earlier incidents involving riders falling from or being struck by rides, medical emergencies, and a bar rusting trigger. The company has paused operations on two rides in the past due to safety concerns. Officials say a review will determine what safety failures, if any, contributed to the tragedy.
