See more of our coverage in your search results.
The Atlanta teacher who was killed after falling from the “Goliath” Six Flags ride was a member of a roller coaster enthusiasts Facebook group.
Hassan Kariem, 42, joined the public Facebook group “Roller Coaster Enthusiasts Club” on March 15 – seven months before his death at the Six Flags Over Georgia theme park.
The group, which was created 15 years ago, has more than 104,000 members and provides a space for amusement park enthusiasts to share their experiences of rides.
Members of the group have flooded the page with tributes to cancer survivor Kariem — with strangers describing the beloved family man as “one of our own” and a “brother.”
Kariem’s most recent role was as an IT manager at the Atlanta charter school Wesley International Academy – and a spokesperson said they were “devastated” by his death.
“Throughout his time at Wesley, Mr Kariem served as our IT manager, a technology teacher and a robotics coach, leaving a lasting impact on generations of students and colleagues,” they said.
“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.”
His cause of death hasn’t been made public and an investigation into the accident is underway.
“Goliath,” which is Georgia’s tallest rollercoaster, has been temporarily closed.
“We do not have an anticipated reopening date at this time,” Richard Pretlow, the Six Flags Over Georgia park president, said.
Kariem was on the ride with his niece when he was ejected from the ride.
Disturbing souvenir pictures were shared on social media – which appeared to show Kariem flailing upside down as riders screamed.
Many fellow riders ended up covered in his blood, and four others were injured.
“He didn’t fall directly onto us. He fell onto a girl two rows in front of us. He fell and hit the cart three different times,” one woman who was on the ride told 11 Alive Monday. “He was in our pictures.”
Parkgoer Logan Conner, who was riding Goliath with his fiancé, said the man “started levitating in the air sideways” as he tumbled through the air.
Nick Mendenhall, who had just ridden Goliath with his son before the accident, said Kariem fell headfirst back into the coaster.
Kariem was then ejected from the 3 ½ minute ride on its final turn, according to Mendenhall.
“It felt like slow-motion, but it happened in an instant,” he said.
“I was just praying in those moments. I was praying, ‘God, please let him stay in that car.’”
Summer Bates, who had rode the hypercoaster earlier Monday, also watched the fall happen.
“One thing I think that will stick with us is the sound of his body coming down,” the mom said.
With Post wires