What we know about the man who died falling from a Six Flags rollercoaster
Key Points:
- Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, died after being ejected from a rollercoaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, hitting other riders before falling to the ground; the incident occurred just before 4 p.m. local time on Monday.
- The ride involved is believed to be the Goliath rollercoaster, a high-speed, high-elevation ride rated level four out of five on Six Flags' thrill scale; the park has temporarily closed nine rides across the US and Canada as a precaution.
- Witnesses described seeing Kariem come out of his seat, fall into another cart, and then drop to the ground, with some noting the restraint bar was unlatched; souvenir photos may have captured the incident, though this is unverified.
- Kariem was an Atlanta resident and long-time IT manager, teacher, and robotics coach at Wesley International Academy, where he was deeply respected; he had survived cancer twice and recently was involved in a car accident with his daughter.
- Six Flags is conducting an investigation amid safety concerns, following previous incidents including medical emergencies and ride-related injuries, and recent closures of rides like X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain due to alleged brain injuries.