Man Who Died Falling From Six Flags Roller Coaster Identified as Beloved Father, Educator
Authorities and relatives have named the man who died after being “ejected” from his seat on Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia. He was a 42-year-old Atlanta father whose school community says he made a lasting mark on generations of students.
What Happened on Goliath
Word spread on Monday, October 12, that someone had died after falling from a ride vehicle on Goliath, the coaster in Mableton, Georgia. Police, eyewitnesses, and on-ride photos later confirmed that the man was “ejected” from the attraction. He struck other passengers and parts of the ride’s infrastructure several times before landing near a haunted house building used for Fright Fest, the park’s annual Halloween event.
As the train rolled back into the station, riders reportedly screamed for attendants, and some said they had blood on their clothes or bodies. Operators emergency-stopped the second train on the track and evacuated everyone aboard. The investigation into the tragedy is ongoing.
Closures Across the Industry
Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) built Goliath, which uses a clamshell-style lap bar. Citing an abundance of caution, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation closed nine B&M coasters with similar restraints, though some also have retractable seatbelts:
- Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America
- Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain
- Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure
- Leviathan and Behemoth at Canada’s Wonderland
- Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds
- Orion and Diamondback at Kings Island
SeaWorld Orlando also shut down its B&M coaster, Mako, which has the same style of lap bar and no added seatbelt.
Who He Was
Police identified the man on Tuesday as 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem of Atlanta. A relative told 11Alive that he was an educator and a father who loved his city and was passionate about keeping families together. He had come to the park with his family and was seated beside his son on Goliath.
Kariem survived cancer twice, most recently in 2018. His family says that three weeks earlier, he and his 10-year-old daughter were in a “fiery car accident” and both walked away unharmed.
He worked at Wesley International Academy in the Atlanta Public Schools district as an IT manager, technology teacher, and robotics coach. The school said he left “a lasting impact on generations of students and colleagues.”
“The Wesley International Academy community is devastated by the loss of Hassan Kariem, affectionately known as Mr. Kariem, who was a beloved colleague, friend, and integral part of the Wesley family for more than 12 years,” the school’s statement said. “…His love for Wesley, dedication to our students, and commitment to our school community were evident in everything he did. Mr. Kariem was deeply loved and respected, and his absence will be felt throughout our school community. Our hearts are with his family, friends, colleagues, students, and all who knew and loved him as we mourn this tremendous loss. We ask that our community keep Mr. Kariem’s family in their thoughts and respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
The Disney Dining team sends its condolences to the family of Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem after the tragic incident at Six Flags Over Georgia on October 12.
