The brother-in-law of a man who tragically died after being thrown from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia has shared the words he spoke before boarding the ride.
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old teacher, fatally fell after being ejected from the coaster, which stands 200 feet tall. An investigation is currently underway, and the theme park, located roughly 20 miles from Atlanta, has since reopened. Meanwhile, several other amusement parks across the U.S. are suspending operations on certain rides to ensure their safety.
In an interview with Atlanta News First, Joshua Nelson described how the family had gathered for a birthday celebration that day. Kariem, who attended with his wife, daughter, and niece, was excited about the ride, reportedly telling Nelson’s daughter, “This is my favourite ride. I’m so excited to be here.”
After the incident, Nelson’s daughter called him in tears, asking what had happened to her uncle. Witnesses reported that Kariem struck parts of the ride multiple times before landing on the roof of a nearby attraction. One witness recounted seeing him ejected and hit by the ride several times.
Nelson added that his daughter, who was on the ride with Kariem, described him as appearing to faint prior to the fall. “The third or fourth time that happened, the latch came undone, and that’s when he fell out,” he explained.
Describing his brother-in-law, who had survived cancer and a serious car accident shortly before his death, Nelson said: “He was a big brother I never had… always thoughtful, always kind.”
The Cobb County Police Department confirmed that its Major Crimes Unit is investigating the incident. They reported that preliminary information suggests Kariem was ejected from the ride and struck other guests before falling.
In a statement, Six Flags Over Georgia expressed their sadness about the incident and extended their condolences to Kariem’s family and friends, stating they are supporting all affected guests and cooperating fully with authorities as the investigation continues.
