Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old teacher, died after being flung from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. His brother-in-law revealed Kariem's final words, expressing excitement for his favorite ride, just moments before the tragic incident.
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old teacher, tragically died after being thrown from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. His brother-in-law, Joshua Nelson, shared Kariem's final words to his daughter before boarding: 'This is my favorite ride. I’m so excited to be here.' Kariem was visiting the park with his wife, daughter, and niece for a birthday celebration. The incident, which occurred on Monday, is under investigation by the Cobb County Police Department's Major Crimes Unit. Witnesses reported Kariem struck parts of the roller coaster multiple times before landing on the roof of a nearby haunted house. His daughter, who rode with him, recounted that Kariem appeared to faint, and his body moved up and down before the latch reportedly came undone, causing him to fall. Several others were also injured. Nelson described Kariem as a kind-hearted 'big brother' who had previously survived cancer and a car fire. Six Flags Over Georgia expressed deep sadness and is cooperating fully with authorities. The park has since reopened, though some other theme parks across the U.S. have suspended operations on certain roller coasters to ensure safety.
