TITLE: Atlanta Teacher Dies After Falling from Roller Coaster at Six Flags
META: A tragic incident at Six Flags Over Georgia leaves an Atlanta teacher dead after he was ejected from a roller coaster.
EXCERPT: An Atlanta educator, Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, tragically fell to his death from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, prompting an investigation.
ALT: A roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, towering above the park.
ARTICLE:
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old teacher from Atlanta, fell to his death while riding the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday. Witnesses reported observing the incident, which has prompted an investigation by local authorities.
Family members shared that just three weeks before the tragic event, Kariem had survived a fiery car crash, from which he walked away unharmed. His 10-year-old daughter, who was also in the vehicle, did not sustain any injuries.
A two-time cancer survivor, Kariem had battled health challenges, overcoming significant obstacles throughout his life. In July, he participated in the highly regarded Peachtree Road Race, where he expressed gratitude for being alive after a previous near-fatal bacterial lung infection.
His commitment to education was evident as he served as the information technology manager at Wesley International Academy in Atlanta, where he had worked for over a decade. The school's community expressed profound sorrow at his passing, describing him as a beloved colleague committed to his students and school.
The accident occurred on the Goliath, noted for its 200-foot first drop, with reports suggesting that Kariem was ejected from his seat and struck other patrons before falling beneath the ride. Eyewitnesses detailed the harrowing moment, with one bystander describing it as “slow-motion,” as Kariem was seen falling back into the coaster before being thrown from it.
Summer Bates, another park visitor, recalled the disturbing sounds accompanying the fall, an experience she described as deeply unsettling. The ride remains closed as Six Flags works with investigators.
Richard Pretlow, president of Six Flags Over Georgia, expressed his sadness regarding the incident, offering condolences to Kariem's family and assuring that the park would cooperate fully with the investigation. Safety measures at the park have led to temporary closures of roller coasters across several Six Flags locations as a precaution.
Meanwhile, the Swiss company that manufactured the Goliath ride has commenced its own investigation to understand the circumstances surrounding the accident.