Father Dies After Falling From Six Flags Roller Coaster as Witnesses Reveal Disturbing Details

GEORGIA — A visit to one of America’s popular amusement parks ended in tragedy after a 42-year-old man died following a horrifying incident aboard the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia.

The victim, identified as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem of Atlanta, died on October 12, 2026, after being ejected from the attraction during the ride.

As investigators work to establish exactly what happened, passengers have come forward with troubling accounts of unusual sounds coming from their safety restraints before the fatal incident.

Witnesses Recall Strange Clicking Sounds

A couple who were riding Goliath when the tragedy occurred told local television station WSB-TV that they noticed unusual clicking noises as the safety restraints were being secured.

According to their account, the restraint appeared to repeatedly click as though it were unlocking and locking again.

The passengers also recalled employees checking the restraints several times before the ride began, describing the repeated inspections as unusual compared with their previous visits.

These observations are witness accounts and have not been established as the cause of the accident.

A Terrifying Incident Near the End of the Ride

According to the Cobb County Police Department, preliminary findings indicate that Kariem was ejected from the roller coaster and struck other passengers before falling beneath the attraction.

He was subsequently found unresponsive and not breathing.

One witness described the aftermath as deeply traumatic, with passengers screaming after realizing what had happened.

The incident left families and other visitors shaken as emergency personnel responded to the scene.

Victim Remembered as a Cherished Educator

Kariem worked as an IT manager at Wesley International Academy and had previously served as a technology teacher and IT specialist.

Atlanta Public Schools confirmed his connection to the school community and expressed condolences to his relatives, friends and colleagues.

A family friend also revealed that Kariem had overcome several serious challenges in his life, including cancer and COVID-19.

According to the friend, he and his daughter had also survived a vehicle fire only weeks before the amusement park tragedy.

Six Flags Responds as Investigation Continues

Six Flags Over Georgia said its employees and local authorities responded immediately following the incident.

The company expressed condolences to Kariem’s family and confirmed that it was cooperating with investigators.

The park was scheduled to reopen on October 16, while the Goliath attraction would remain temporarily closed.

Investigators have not publicly established whether a mechanical malfunction, restraint failure or another factor caused Kariem’s death.

As authorities continue examining the circumstances, the tragedy has raised questions about amusement park safety and left a family mourning an unexpected loss.

Source: PEOPLE, October 14, 2026. Reporting by Abigail Adams.