AUSTELL, GEORGIA – A man identified as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem has died after reportedly being thrown from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. According to posts circulating online, he was riding with his son while his wife and daughter watched from below. Kariem had survived a car fire with his daughter just weeks earlier, and posts say he had also beaten cancer twice and survived a serious bout of COVID-19. The news has drawn an outpouring of grief online.
Father Thrown From Goliath While Riding With His Son
Kariem was on the Goliath roller coaster alongside his son when he was thrown from the ride, according to the post. His wife and daughter were standing below and watching at the time. The moment unfolded in front of his family, making the loss even more painful.
Details on how the incident happened have not been confirmed by park officials in the information shared. It is also unclear whether his son was injured during the ride or how he is coping. Emergency responders’ actions at the scene were not described in the post.
Goliath Is One of the Tallest Coasters at Six Flags Over Georgia
Goliath is a steel hyper coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, just west of Atlanta in Cobb County. The ride opened in 2006 and stands about 200 feet tall. It is among the park’s most recognizable attractions and is visible from across the property.
The coaster reaches speeds of around 70 miles per hour and features a first drop of 170 feet. Rides like Goliath are inspected by the Georgia Department of Labor, which oversees amusement ride safety in the state.
Kariem Survived Car Fire, Cancer, and COVID-19 Before Fatal Ride
Just weeks before his death, Kariem and his daughter escaped a car fire. Photos shared alongside the posts show a vehicle engulfed in flames and thick black smoke on a street. He and his daughter both survived the fire.
Posts also say he had survived cancer twice and pulled through a difficult fight with COVID-19. Those who shared his story described his death as devastating after everything he had already overcome.
Questions Remain as Family Mourns Sudden Loss
Six Flags Over Georgia has not released a public statement in the details shared online so far. The cause of the incident and whether the ride was shut down for inspection have not been reported. Investigators typically review ride records and restraint systems after serious amusement park incidents.
His wife, son, and daughter were all at the park when the tragedy happened. More details are expected as officials look into what led to the fatal incident. The family’s loss has prompted many people online to share messages of sympathy.
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