Just weeks before Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem lost his life in a devastating roller coaster accident at Six Flags Over Georgia, he and his daughter had survived a car fire, according to a family friend who is now sharing details about the challenges he overcame.
The 42-year-old Atlanta father, whose death has sparked a widespread investigation into amusement park safety, had already endured several life-threatening experiences. According to WSB-TV Channel 2, a family friend told reporter Michele Newell that Kariem was a cancer survivor who had also overcome a difficult battle with COVID-19.
The friend revealed that Kariem and his daughter escaped death in a vehicle fire only weeks before the fatal amusement park incident. The circumstances surrounding that fire, including what caused it and whether either suffered injuries, have not been publicly established.
Those revelations have added another heartbreaking dimension to the Six Flags death, which occurred Monday, October 12, while Kariem was visiting the popular Georgia amusement park.
According to the Cobb County Police Department, officers working at Six Flags Over Georgia responded to an emergency involving the Goliath roller coaster at approximately 3:58 p.m. Investigators identified Kariem as the man who had been ejected from the attraction during the ride.
Police said preliminary interviews with witnesses and park employees indicate Kariem struck other passengers before falling beneath the roller coaster. Responding officers found him unresponsive and not breathing. Authorities secured the scene and requested assistance from the department’s Major Crimes Unit.
Four other people were injured during the incident and transported to the hospital, according to WSB-TV. Officials have not publicly disclosed the extent of their injuries or provided detailed updates about their conditions.
The Six Flags death unfolded in front of other park visitors, several of whom described seeing Kariem suddenly come out of his seat.
According to the Associated Press, witness Nick Mendenhall had recently ridden Goliath with his son when he noticed something alarming as another train passed overhead. He described watching Kariem rise from his seat before falling back toward the coaster.
“It felt like slow-motion, but it happened in an instant,” Mendenhall said.
The Associated Press also reported that Kariem was working as an information technology manager at Wesley International Academy, an Atlanta public charter school, where he had previously taught technology.
Additional reporting from Atlanta News First revealed that Kariem spent more than 12 years with the school community, serving in multiple roles, including technology teacher, IT manager, and robotics coach.
His work extended beyond managing computers and technical systems. Through his involvement in technology education and robotics, Kariem helped students develop skills and explore opportunities in an increasingly digital world.
Wesley International Academy released a statement mourning his death and recognizing his contributions.
“His love for Wesley, dedication to our students, and commitment to our school community were evident in everything he did,” the school said.
Atlanta Public Schools also expressed condolences, describing Kariem as a valued member of its educational community whose loss would be deeply felt by students and colleagues.
The circumstances surrounding his death have raised urgent questions about what happened aboard Goliath, particularly how a passenger could be ejected from an operating roller coaster.
According to Six Flags’ official attraction information, Goliath opened in 2006 and reaches heights of approximately 200 feet, with speeds reaching 70 mph. The steel hypercoaster was manufactured by Swiss company Bolliger & Mabillard.
The Associated Press reported that the attraction uses lap-bar restraints rather than traditional seat belts. However, investigators have not determined whether the restraint system, a mechanical problem, operational procedures, or another factor contributed to the fatal incident.
Following the Six Flags death, the company temporarily shut down nine similar roller coasters across six amusement parks in the United States and Canada.
The closures included attractions at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, Six Flags Great America in Illinois, Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, Carowinds in North Carolina and Canada’s Wonderland in Ontario, according to the Associated Press.
Bolliger & Mabillard also confirmed that it was investigating the incident, although the company had not announced any findings.
Meanwhile, Georgia’s Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire is conducting its own investigation into what happened.
In a statement reported by WSB-TV, the agency explained that investigators are reviewing the circumstances of the accident and whether applicable safety requirements and procedures were followed. Officials said additional details would be withheld while the investigation remains active.
The case also highlights how amusement park safety oversight works across the country. According to the Associated Press, fixed amusement park rides are primarily regulated at the state level rather than through a uniform federal inspection system. Georgia’s safety officials oversee ride inspections, making their findings particularly important in determining what went wrong.
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation expressed condolences to Kariem’s family and confirmed that it was cooperating with authorities while providing support to affected visitors and employees.
For Kariem’s loved ones, however, the tragedy represents much more than an investigation into roller coaster safety.
The family friend’s account of his previous health struggles and the recent car fire paints a fuller picture of a father who had repeatedly faced serious challenges and survived them. His career at Wesley International Academy also reflects years of service to Atlanta students and families.
As investigators continue examining the fatal Goliath incident, the Six Flags death has left a grieving family, a school community mourning a longtime educator and unanswered questions about how a day at an amusement park ended in such a devastating loss.
