Tragedy
Six Flags Victim Survived Cancer, COVID and Car Fire Before Roller Coaster Death
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem — a father of two — had overcome a series of frightening challenges in recent years, making his sudden death at Six Flags Over Georgia even more heartbreaking.
A family friend told WSB-TV on Tuesday, October 13, just hours after he was identified, that the 42-year-old Atlanta educator was a cancer survivor who had previously endured a serious bout of COVID-19.
Just weeks before the Six Flags tragedy, Kariem and his daughter had also survived a car fire.
The new details emerged one day after Kariem died following an incident on the Goliath roller coaster on Monday, October 12.
As Globe previously reported, Kariem taught at Wesley International Academy. In a statement shared with NBC News, Atlanta Public Schools remembered him as “a cherished member of the Wesley International Academy and APS families whose presence and impact will be deeply missed by our students, staff, and all those whose lives he touched.”
Cobb County police said Kariem was ejected from Goliath shortly before 4 p.m., struck other riders, and landed beneath the attraction, according to ABC News.
According to a witness who spoke with 11Alive, Kariem was riding Goliath with his son when the fatal incident occurred. His son “watched it all” unfold, while his wife and daughter were elsewhere in the park, the outlet confirmed.
Four other people were taken to the hospital, according to WSB-TV.
Cobb County police and the Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire are investigating the cause.
Six Flags said it is cooperating fully with investigators. “We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today,” the company said, per ABC 7.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest’s family, friends, and loved ones.”
The Goliath ride remains closed.
Six Flags Over Georgia is currently closed and is expected to reopen Friday, October 16, according to CBS News.
CNN reported that Goliath’s manufacturer confirmed it is actively investigating the incident.
