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A father who taught and coached students in Atlanta died on Monday, October 12, after being “ejected” from his seat on Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia. He had been sitting beside his son. His school community and family are now remembering him.
A Family Day Ends in Tragedy
Credit: Six Flags Over Georgia
Police, eyewitnesses, and on-ride photos later confirmed that the man was “ejected” from Goliath, struck other passengers and parts of the ride several times, and landed near a haunted house building used for Fright Fest, Six Flags Over Georgia’s annual Halloween event.
When the train returned to the station, riders reportedly screamed for ride attendants, and some said they had blood on their clothes or bodies. Operators emergency-stopped the second train and evacuated everyone on board. An investigation is continuing.
Naming the Victim
On Tuesday, police identified the man as 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem of Atlanta. A family member told 11Alive that he was an educator and a father who loved his city and cared deeply about keeping families together. He had visited the park with his family and rode Goliath next to his son.
Kariem survived cancer twice, most recently in 2018. According to his family, about three weeks before the tragic theme park visit, he and his 10-year-old daughter were involved in a “fiery car accident,” and both escaped unharmed.
His Life in the Classroom
Kariem worked at Wesley International Academy in the Atlanta Public Schools district as an IT manager, technology teacher, and robotics coach. The school said he left “a lasting impact on generations of students and colleagues.”
“The Wesley International Academy community is devastated by the loss of Hassan Kariem, affectionately known as Mr. Kariem, who was a beloved colleague, friend, and integral part of the Wesley family for more than 12 years,” read a statement from the school. “…His love for Wesley, dedication to our students, and commitment to our school community were evident in everything he did. Mr. Kariem was deeply loved and respected, and his absence will be felt throughout our school community. Our hearts are with his family, friends, colleagues, students, and all who knew and loved him as we mourn this tremendous loss. We ask that our community keep Mr. Kariem’s family in their thoughts and respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
Rides Closed Nationwide
Credit: Carowinds
Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), the Swiss manufacturer, built Goliath with a clamshell-style lap bar. Citing an abundance of caution, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation closed nine B&M coasters with similar restraints, though some also have retractable seatbelts:
- Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America
- Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain
- Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure
- Leviathan and Behemoth at Canada’s Wonderland
- Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds
- Orion and Diamondback at Kings Island
SeaWorld Orlando also closed Mako, its B&M coaster with the same lap bar style and no added seatbelt.
Have you ever been on Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia? Tell Disney Tips about your experience in the comments.
