Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old man from Atlanta, died on October 12, 2026, after being ejected from the Goliath rollercoaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, an incident that also resulted in injuries to four minors. Cobb County Police officers responded to the scene around 3:58 p.m. and found Kariem unresponsive beneath the attraction.

The fatality raises significant public safety concerns for amusement park rides, particularly because the Goliath rollercoaster had passed its annual state inspection just months prior with no reported issues. The incident highlights the potential risks even on regularly inspected attractions and the severe impact such tragedies have on individuals, families, and the wider community.

What the records show

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was an IT manager, technology teacher, and robotics coach at Wesley International Academy, an Atlanta charter school, for over 12 years. His school described him as a "cherished member" and stated his dedication to students and the community was evident in his work.

Two separate investigations are underway: one by the Cobb County Police Department's Major Crimes Unit and another by the Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire. Officials from the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire (OCI) have maintained an investigative presence at Six Flags Over Georgia since shortly after the incident. Investigators and engineers are conducting an extensive review of the ride's equipment, operation, and relevant documentation.

The Goliath rollercoaster underwent its annual state inspection on March 16, 2026, and passed with no reported violations, deficiencies, citations, or red tags. Despite the clear inspection record, eyewitnesses reported hearing unusual clicking noises from restraints on the ride prior to the incident. People who rode the Goliath before Kariem that day also described concerns about its restraints.

The timeline

On October 12, 2026, at approximately 3:58 p.m., Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was ejected from the Goliath rollercoaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. Police and emergency services responded to the scene, where Kariem was found unresponsive. The incident also led to injuries for four minors who were transported to local hospitals. Following the fatality, Six Flags temporarily closed nine similar roller coasters across its parks "out of an abundance of caution". The state's most recent inspection of the Goliath ride had occurred on March 16, 2026.

What changed and for whom

The immediate change following Kariem's death was the temporary closure of Goliath and eight other similar roller coasters at Six Flags parks. The Goliath ride itself "remains secured" and out of service as the state's investigation proceeds. For the Wesley International Academy community, the loss of Kariem, a beloved educator, IT manager, and robotics coach, has been described as devastating. Both the Cobb County Police and the state's Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire have launched investigations to determine the cause of the incident.

What the subject has said publicly

Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King stated that his department is approaching the investigation "with the urgency, diligence, and unwavering commitment to public safety that this tragedy demands". King also said, "This is not an investigation in which we will cut corners, rush to conclusions, or leave questions unanswered without making every effort to resolve them". Richard Pretlow, Six Flags Over Georgia's park president, issued a statement thanking patrons, offering condolences to Kariem's family, and reiterating the park's commitment to safety. Pretlow noted that "While serious incidents of this nature are exceedingly rare, we never take responsibility to our guests for granted and remain committed to continuously strengthening our operations and safety practices".

What we could not confirm

We could not confirm the specific nature of the alleged "unusual clicking sounds" from the restraints reported by eyewitnesses. The official cause of Kariem's ejection from the ride has not been announced by authorities. It remains unconfirmed whether any reported earlier interruptions in Goliath's operations or maintenance activity contributed to the incident.