Authorities have identified an Atlanta educator as the man who died Monday afternoon following a horrific fall from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia.
The Cobb County Police Department confirmed Tuesday that 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was the victim of the fatal incident, which also left at least three other park guests injured. The tragedy occurred shortly before 4 p.m. at the theme park located west of Atlanta.
According to investigators, Kariem fell from the ride while it was in motion, striking the coaster structure several times and colliding with other passengers before landing on the roof of a nearby haunted house attraction. Witnesses reported a chaotic scene, with some stating that the fall occurred near the ride’s high-speed camera and was inadvertently captured in souvenir photos.
Family members of Kariem described the 42-year-old as a dedicated educator who was deeply committed to his community. In a statement provided to local media, his family highlighted his passion for Atlanta and his professional efforts to reunite families. The Cobb County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit is currently leading the investigation alongside the Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire.
“Officers assigned to the park, along with uniformed patrol officers, responded to the scene,” the Cobb County Police Department said in a statement. Detectives are now working to determine whether the fall was caused by mechanical failure, operator error, or guest behavior. Other riders aboard the Goliath were evacuated after the coaster was brought to a halt near the top of its 200-foot elevation.
A spokesperson for Six Flags expressed condolences, stating that the park is fully cooperating with local authorities. “We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today,” the spokesperson said. “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest’s family, friends, and loved ones. We are also providing support to the guests and team members affected.” The Goliath roller coaster, which opened in 2006, is one of the park’s signature attractions, reaching speeds of up to 70 mph.
In response to the fatality, Six Flags officials confirmed they have temporarily closed similar attractions across their nationwide network of parks as a safety precaution while the investigation continues. The conditions of the other injured guests have not been publicly released. Authorities indicated that additional information will be withheld at this time out of respect for the privacy of the Kariem family as they grieve the loss of the veteran educator.
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