Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, the man who died after falling from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, was an educator and devoted family member whose life had already included several serious challenges.
The 42-year-old's death on Monday, October 12, shocked visitors at the amusement park near Atlanta and prompted an investigation by local and state authorities.
Riders left dangling 120 feet in the air after Six Flags ride suddenly stops
As his relatives began to grieve, his sister Andrea Clark spoke about the man she knew, describing him as a source of inspiration and someone whose presence had shaped her life.
“He’s an amazing person,” Clark said through tears, as per the New York Post. “The coolest part about me was him,” she added, recalling the closeness of their relationship.
Clark, 35, described her brother as “my hero” and struggled to understand how he could have died after overcoming major health challenges in earlier years.
Kariem had battled cancer, which went into remission in 2015, according to his sister. She also revealed that he had survived a serious car fire approximately a month before the roller coaster incident.
“He had other issues, but he’s healthy, he was able-bodied. I don’t understand it,” Clark said.
For his family, the loss was particularly difficult given the obstacles Kariem had already overcome. His sister's account portrayed a man who continued to work hard, care for those close to him and build a life after confronting serious adversity.
“He could do it all,” she said as she wept.
What happened to Hassan Kariem on Goliath roller coaster?
The fatal incident occurred at approximately 3:58 p.m. on October 12 at Six Flags Over Georgia in Cobb County, Georgia. Police officers responding to the scene found Kariem beneath the ride, unresponsive and not breathing.
According to witnesses and park employees, Kariem was ejected from the roller coaster and struck other visitors before falling beneath the attraction. Several other people were reported injured.
Authorities haven't yet established the precise circumstances that led to his fall. Investigators from the Cobb County Police Department's Major Crimes Unit are examining the incident, while state safety officials are also investigating.
The ride involved was Goliath, a major attraction that rises approximately 200 feet and reaches speeds of around 70 mph.
The scale and speed of the hypercoaster have placed particular attention on the questions surrounding how Kariem came out of his seat and whether the restraint system, operating procedures or another factor contributed to the tragedy. No definitive cause has been announced.
Six Flags confirmed that it was cooperating with authorities and expressed condolences to Kariem's family, friends and loved ones. The park also said it was supporting visitors and employees affected by the incident.
The company subsequently closed nine similar roller coasters across six parks in the United States and Canada as a precaution. The decision was described as being made “out of an abundance of caution” while the investigation continued.
The closures were a safety measure and did not, by themselves, establish that a defect had caused the fatal incident.
Kariem's family has also faced the distress of images and videos circulating online. Clark appealed to people sharing graphic footage of her brother's final moments to stop.
“That’s just evil,” she said. “It’s tragic and I feel like we’ve gone too far as a society.”
Her plea highlighted another painful aspect of the tragedy: relatives must cope with their loss while confronting disturbing material being shared publicly.
Teacher remembered for commitment to family
Away from the amusement park, Kariem was known for his work in education and technology. Reports identified him as an Atlanta-area educator who worked at Wesley International Academy, where he was associated with technology instruction and supporting students.
His professional life was one part of a broader commitment to helping others. His sister said he worked hard and took care of his family, including his fiancée's daughter, who had been in his life since she was three years old.
Clark explained that although her brother didn't have a son of his own, he had played an important role in raising and supporting the child in his family.
Some reports have described a child being present during the roller coaster incident, although accounts of the family relationships have not been entirely consistent. The details of the incident remain under investigation.
The family's memories of Kariem have increasingly centered on the person he was outside his final moments: a brother, partner, educator and trusted presence in the lives of people close to him.
His death has also renewed questions about amusement park safety and the protections intended to keep riders secure. Investigators will need to establish what happened before any conclusions can be drawn about responsibility or the cause of the fall.
For Clark and the rest of Kariem's loved ones, however, the immediate reality is the loss of someone they considered irreplaceable. Her recollections of his resilience, generosity and dedication to family have offered a personal picture of the man behind the headlines.
As authorities continue their work, Kariem's family is left to mourn a life that his sister says had already overcome extraordinary difficulties. Her tribute is a reminder that beyond the investigation and the questions surrounding Goliath, a family has lost someone it deeply loved.