AUSTELL, GEORGIA — October 14, 2026. A Georgia family is mourning the loss of Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old father, educator and technology enthusiast who lost his l1fe following a roller coaster incident at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday, October 12.
Kariem was riding the park’s Goliath roller coaster when he was reportedly ejected from the attraction and fell to the ground beneath the ride.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but Kariem was pronounced d3ad.
Four other people were reportedly injur3d during the incident, although the circumstances of their injur1es and their current medical conditions have not been fully established in the information available.
The Cobb County Police Department is investigating how the incident occurred.
Beyond the investigation, Kariem’s family and friends are remembering a man who had survived serious illnesses and a frightening vehicle fire before losing his l1fe during a visit to an amusement park.
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem Was a Father and Educator
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was 42 years old and lived in the Atlanta area.
He was a father, teacher, technology professional and robotics mentor who had dedicated much of his professional life to education.
According to accounts from people close to him, Kariem was known for his intelligence, enthusiasm and willingness to help others.
His relatives described him as someone who brought happiness to family gatherings and took pride in his children.
His unexpected passing has left loved ones struggling to understand how an ordinary visit to an amusement park ended in such a painful loss.
The Incident Happened on the Goliath Roller Coaster
The incident occurred on Monday, October 12, at Six Flags Over Georgia, an amusement park located in Austell, near Atlanta.
Kariem was reportedly aboard Goliath when he was ejected from the moving roller coaster.
Preliminary accounts indicate that he struck other passengers before falling beneath the attraction.
Emergency personnel subsequently found him unresponsive.
Despite the response, he could not be saved.
Authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding the ejection, including witness accounts and information about the ride’s operation.
The cause has not been officially established.
Four Other People Were Reportedly Injured
In addition to Kariem’s d3ath, initial reports indicated that four other individuals sustained injur1es.
Some accounts suggested that the additional victims were affected during the same sequence in which Kariem was ejected from the ride.
However, investigators have not publicly established the exact circumstances of each reported injury.
Their identities have not been confirmed in the information available.
The reported number of injured passengers should therefore be treated as preliminary until supported by a complete official account.
Cobb County Police Investigate the Incident
The Cobb County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding Kariem’s d3ath.
Investigators are working to determine how he was ejected from the roller coaster and what occurred immediately before the incident.
Witness interviews and information from park employees are among the elements reportedly being examined.
No official finding has established that the roller coaster’s restraints malfunctioned.
Likewise, the available information does not establish that Kariem or any other passenger caused the incident.
The investigation remains essential to understanding what happened.
Kariem Had Survived Cancer Twice
One of the most emotional details shared by Kariem’s loved ones concerns his medical history.
According to family accounts, he had survived cancer on two occasions.
His most recent battle reportedly occurred in 2018.
Relatives and friends said those experiences had required strength and determination, making his sudden passing especially difficult to comprehend.
Kariem had also reportedly overcome a serious case of COVID-19.
These details have become an important part of how his family remembers his resilience.
He Escaped a Vehicle Fire With His Daughter Weeks Earlier
Just weeks before the roller coaster incident, Kariem reportedly escaped a vehicle fire alongside his 10-year-old daughter.
According to family friend Elicia Day, the father and daughter survived the frightening emergency without physical injur1es.
The experience had brought relief to those close to them.
Loved ones had been grateful that both escaped safely.
The news of Kariem’s d3ath only weeks later has made the loss particularly painful for those who had recently celebrated their survival.
Elicia Day Recalls the Family’s Relief After the Fire
Elicia Day spoke about the emotional contrast between the recent vehicle fire and the roller coaster incident.
She recalled that Kariem’s loved ones had been thankful that he and his daughter survived the earlier emergency.
That sense of relief was replaced by grief following the events at Six Flags Over Georgia.
Day’s account provides insight into the difficult circumstances the family had experienced in the weeks leading up to Kariem’s passing.
Andrea Clark Remembers Her Brother as a Hero
Kariem’s sister, Andrea Clark, described him as her hero.
According to family accounts, she remembered him as a hardworking man who remained committed to providing for his children.
Her tribute emphasized his dedication to family responsibilities and the important role he played in the lives of those closest to him.
For his relatives, the loss extends far beyond the circumstances of the amusement park incident.
They are mourning a brother, father and loved one whose presence was central to their family.
Cousin Geovonni Calls Him the Sunshine of the Family
Kariem’s cousin, identified as Geovonni, remembered him as a joyful and intelligent person.
The cousin described Hassan as the family’s sunshine, emphasizing the happiness he brought to those around him.
According to the family, Kariem had recently attended a birthday celebration for his cousin.
The gathering is now remembered as one of the final happy occasions they shared.
His loved ones have described the contrast between those recent memories and his sudden passing as extremely difficult.
Kariem Worked at Wesley International Academy for More Than 12 Years
Kariem also had a long professional connection with Wesley International Academy in Atlanta.
According to accounts about his career, he worked at the school for more than 12 years.
His responsibilities included information technology management, technology instruction and robotics coaching.
He helped students develop technical skills and explore educational opportunities involving computers and robotics.
His work reflected a passion for technology and a commitment to sharing his knowledge with younger generations.
He Was Passionate About Robotics and 3D Printing
Outside his educational responsibilities, Kariem reportedly operated a 3D printing business.
He enjoyed technology and creative projects that involved designing and producing physical objects.
His interest in robotics also extended to his work with students.
These activities were part of the professional and personal identity remembered by colleagues and friends.
Kariem’s passing represents a loss not only for his family but also for the educational community in which he worked.
Six Flags Was Part of His Childhood Memories
Another emotional detail shared by relatives concerns Kariem’s connection to Six Flags Over Georgia.
According to family accounts, he had visited the amusement park while growing up.
Trips to Six Flags were part of his childhood experiences and family memories.
That history has made the location of his final moments particularly painful for those who knew him.
A place once associated with enjoyment and family outings is now connected to an unexpected loss.
Six Flags Responds to the Fatal Incident
Six Flags Over Georgia expressed condolences following the incident and indicated that it was cooperating with the authorities.
The Goliath roller coaster was temporarily closed while the circumstances were examined.
Reports also indicated that similar attractions at other Six Flags properties were temporarily suspended as a precaution.
The company has not been officially found responsible for the incident.
Any determination regarding the ride’s mechanical condition, operating procedures or safety systems must be based on the findings of the investigation.
Questions Remain About How the Ejection Occurred
A central question is how a passenger could have been ejected from the roller coaster.
Investigators will need to examine the available evidence to establish what happened.
Potential areas of examination include the ride’s operation, restraint systems, maintenance information and witness testimony.
However, none of those possible lines of inquiry should be interpreted as evidence that a particular component failed.
At this stage, the exact cause remains unresolved.
Family and Friends Remember the Man Behind the Headlines
As attention focuses on the investigation, Kariem’s relatives have emphasized his life and the people who loved him.
He was a father who cared deeply about his children, an educator who worked with students and a technology enthusiast who pursued creative projects.
His history of surviving cancer twice, overcoming COVID-19 and escaping a vehicle fire with his daughter has added an emotional dimension to the family’s loss.
Those experiences are now part of the story loved ones are sharing as they remember his determination and strength.
Investigation Continues as Family Mourns Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem
The October 12 incident at Six Flags Over Georgia has left a family grieving and raised important questions about amusement park safety.
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, was a father, educator, robotics coach and cancer survivor whose l1fe ended after a reported ejection from the Goliath roller coaster.
His sister Andrea Clark, cousin Geovonni and family friend Elicia Day have helped share the personal story behind the incident.
Meanwhile, the Cobb County Police Department continues working to determine what happened.
As his loved ones prepare to say their final goodbyes, they are remembering Hassan not for the circumstances of his d3ath, but for his dedication to his family, his students and the people whose lives he touched.