A 42-year-old Atlanta school employee, Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, has died after being ejected from a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, leaving witnesses horrified and prompting the temporary closure of nine similar rides across North America.
The incident occurred on Monday, October 12, 2026, while Kariem was riding the Goliath roller coaster at the amusement park in Austell, near Atlanta, Georgia.
According to the Associated Press and ABC News, witnesses said Kariem appeared to come out of his seat as the coaster travelled along its track. He reportedly struck the ride and other passengers before falling beneath the attraction.
One eyewitness, Nick Mendenhall, who had ridden Goliath with his son, described watching the incident unfold.
“It looked like he was hovering because the car was moving underneath him,” Mendenhall said, according to the Associated Press.
Other witnesses described passengers reaching out in an attempt to help Kariem as he moved out of his seat, but the speed of the ride made it difficult to intervene.
Authorities confirmed that several other people were injured during the incident. However, officials had not released comprehensive details about their conditions in the initial reports.
Kariem worked as an information technology manager at Wesley International Academy, a public charter school in Atlanta. He had previously worked as a technology teacher.
In a statement, the school said it was devastated by his death, noting that his dedication to students and commitment to the school community were evident in his work.
The fatal incident has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding Kariem’s ejection from the ride. Investigators with the Cobb County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit are examining witness accounts and other evidence to establish what happened.
Goliath, which opened in 2006, is one of the park’s major attractions. According to Six Flags’ official website, the roller coaster reaches a height of 200 feet and speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. The ride uses lap-bar restraints rather than traditional over-the-shoulder harnesses.
Following the incident, Six Flags temporarily shut down nine similar roller coasters at six parks across the United States and Canada as a precaution. The affected attractions included rides at Six Flags Great Adventure, Six Flags Great America, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Carowinds, Kings Island and Canada’s Wonderland.
The company said guest and employee safety remained a priority and confirmed that it was cooperating fully with authorities investigating the incident.
The coaster manufacturer, Bolliger & Mabillard, also said it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
As investigations continue, authorities have yet to publicly establish what caused Kariem to leave his seat or whether a mechanical or restraint-related problem contributed to his death.
The tragedy has left fellow riders and the school community mourning Kariem while raising renewed concerns about amusement-park ride safety.
