Police Confirm the Victim’s Identity
Police have identified the man who died during an incident at Six Flags Over Georgia as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old Atlanta father and educator. Cobb County officers responding at about 3:58 p.m. Monday found Kariem beneath the Goliath roller coaster, unresponsive and not breathing. Preliminary information from witness and employee interviews indicates that he was ejected from the ride, struck other patrons, and then fell beneath the attraction. The department’s Major Crimes Unit is investigating, and police have not announced what caused him to come out of his seat.
The victim was identified Tuesday as 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem. https://t.co/EhM6e6atc8
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) October 13, 2026
Investigators Have Not Announced a Cause
The investigation remains active, and officials have not released a cause. Cobb County Police have not said whether the incident involved a mechanical failure, operator error, or another explanation. Those possibilities remain unconfirmed, and presenting any one of them as fact would get ahead of the evidence. The information released so far describes the reported sequence of events, but it does not explain why Kariem came out of his seat. That central question remains with police and safety officials as their reviews continue.
Family and Schools Remember an Educator
Kariem was remembered as a longtime member of the Wesley International Academy community. Atlanta Public Schools described him as a cherished member of the school and district families whose impact would be deeply missed. His family said he was a passionate educator who loved Atlanta and cared deeply about bringing families together. A family friend told WSB-TV that Kariem had survived cancer and a difficult battle with COVID-19. She also said that just weeks before his death, Kariem and his daughter escaped a car fire. Those details came from family accounts and were not findings from the ride investigation.
The family of Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, who died Monday in a roller coaster incident at Six Flags Over Georgia, shared a photo of him. His family says he was a passionate educator in metro Atlanta who was equally passionate about the city he called home. 💔 pic.twitter.com/iU4EuNXbJL
— Cody Alcorn (@CodyAlcorn) October 13, 2026
New details on Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, the Atlanta father killed at Six Flags. He reportedly survived cancer, COVID-19, and a car fire just weeks before his death. pic.twitter.com/VAm2PAAJJT
— Everything Georgia (@GAFollowers) October 13, 2026
Four Other People Were Injured
WSB-TV reported that four other people were injured in the Goliath incident. The steel hypercoaster rises 200 feet and can reach roughly 70 miles per hour. Its trains use lap-bar restraints over riders’ legs and waists. Six Flags said it was deeply saddened by Kariem’s death, offered condolences to his loved ones, and said the company is cooperating fully with investigators. The ride’s size and speed provide context for the incident, but they do not establish what caused Kariem to leave his seat.
Six Flags Temporarily Closed Similar Rides
The Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire has launched its own review. Six Flags also temporarily closed nine similar roller coasters at six other parks, describing the move as an abundance of caution. That precaution does not establish a cause or assign responsibility. The closures will remain part of the broader safety response while police and state officials continue examining the fatal incident at Six Flags Over Georgia.
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