Family Speaks Out After Fatal Six Flags Roller Coaster Fall

The family of Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, who died after being ejected from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, is sharing their experience, including the account of his niece who witnessed the tragic fall.

Kariem was at the park with several family members to celebrate his niece's birthday. He was seated next to his niece on the ride when he fell. His brother-in-law, Joshua Nelson, recounted his daughter's retelling of the incident. "They went up and down, up and down, up and down and she said it went up again and his latch, I guess, snapped or came loose and he fell," Nelson told ABC News Atlanta affiliate WSB-TV.

Nelson expressed hope that Kariem did not suffer and questioned whether the incident could have been prevented.

The Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner's office is investigating the incident. A Six Flags spokesperson confirmed that the park team and local authorities responded immediately and that the park is cooperating with the investigation. The manufacturer of the Goliath coaster, Bolliger & Mabillard, stated they are actively investigating and would not comment further.

Kariem was an IT manager and technology teacher at Wesley International Academy, where he had worked for over 12 years. The school district described him as a "cherished member" of the academy whose absence will be deeply missed.