Friends and family are mourning the man who fell to his death Monday while riding a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia.
Witnesses said Hassan Kariem was ejected from The Goliath and struck other riders as he fell.
Kariem, 42, worked as an IT manager for Atlanta Public Schools. The district remembered him as a “cherished member” of its school community whose “presence and impact will be deeply missed.”
Wesley International Academy, the Atlanta charter school where Kariem worked, described him as “a beloved colleague, friend, and integral part of the Wesley family for more than 12 years.”
“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,” the school said.
Relatives told local media that Kariem was a passionate educator who had survived two bouts of cancer and a fiery car crash. He was visiting Six Flags with family when the fatal incident occurred, they said.
Vanessa and Fred Sowemimo, who had just exited the same ride, described seeing Kariem “fly out of his seat.”
Fred Sowemimo said other guests were frantic in the aftermath, with some people crying.
“There was a young lady … she had, like, blood all over her white skirt,” he said. “It was in that moment, at least for me, I was like, ‘Oh wow, this actually did happen.’”
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State investigators and the ride’s manufacturer, Bolliger & Mabillard, are examining the incident. Six Flags has temporarily shut down Goliath along with nine similar rides at six of its parks. A spokesperson said the closures were made “out of an abundance of caution.”
SeaWorld Orlando has also closed its Mako roller coaster, which was made by Bolliger & Mabillard, as a precaution.
Theme park safety expert Matthew Miller said the closures allow officials to pause, review the investigative findings and reopen the rides as soon as possible.
The Sowemimos said they felt relieved to have made it off the ride safely, but were heartbroken for Kariem’s family.
“Someone did not go home yesterday. And I just want to say to pray for them,” Vanessa Sowemimo said. “Just pray for these people who were truly impacted.”
Bolliger & Mabillard said it was “deeply saddened by this tragic accident,” adding, “Our thoughts are with the family and those affected.” Six Flags also expressed its deep sadness and said it was cooperating fully with authorities.
