A beloved Atlanta educator whose life touched generations of students is being remembered by family, friends and former pupils following a fatal roller coaster accident at Six Flags Over Georgia. As investigators continue examining what happened, those who knew Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem say they want his legacy to be defined by his kindness, creativity and dedication to children — not simply by the tragic circumstances of his final day.

Kariem, 42, died on October 12, 2026, after being ejected from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, Georgia. According to the Cobb County Police Department, preliminary information gathered from witness and employee interviews indicated that he was thrown from the ride, struck other riders and fell beneath the attraction.

The incident also left several other parkgoers injured, including children, according to reports. Authorities have not publicly established a definitive explanation for why Kariem was ejected.

The accident has prompted investigations by local police and Georgia state safety officials, while Six Flags temporarily closed similar roller coasters at several of its parks as a precaution.

For Kariem’s family and colleagues, however, the tragedy is about far more than the investigation. He was a father, a technology educator, a robotics coach and a longtime member of the Wesley International Academy community. Former students remember a teacher who made learning enjoyable, encouraged their interests and welcomed them into a classroom where curiosity was celebrated.

As the investigation continues, those memories have become central to the tributes being shared in his honor.

A FAMILY OUTING ENDED IN TRAGEDY
Kariem was visiting Six Flags Over Georgia with relatives on October 12 for a family outing celebrating his niece’s birthday.

According to family accounts reported by the media, he was seated beside his niece on the Goliath roller coaster when the incident occurred.

Police responded to the attraction at approximately 3:58 p.m. Officers found Kariem beneath the ride, unresponsive and not breathing. The area was secured, and the department’s Major Crimes Unit took over the investigation.

In a statement issued the following day, Cobb County police said preliminary interviews indicated that Kariem had been ejected from the coaster and struck other patrons before falling beneath the attraction.

The sequence of events left investigators facing several important questions. They must establish what happened while the ride was operating, why Kariem left his seat and whether any mechanical, operational or other factors contributed to the accident.

Although the police statement described what witnesses and employees initially reported, it did not provide a final determination of the cause.

The ride was taken out of service, and the park responded to the incident alongside local emergency personnel. The investigation remains separate from the tributes being shared by Kariem’s loved ones and the educational community he served.

For the family members who had accompanied him that day, the outing had been intended as a celebration. Instead, they were left trying to understand how a visit to an amusement park could end in such devastating circumstances.

HIS NIECE’S ACCOUNT RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RESTRAINT
One of the most important questions concerns the restraint system that was supposed to keep riders securely seated during the high-speed ride.

Kariem’s brother-in-law, Joshua Nelson, told media outlets that his daughter, who was seated beside Kariem, described him appearing to become unresponsive before the restraint seemed to come loose.

That account has intensified questions about what happened during the ride. However, it remains a family-reported account of what the niece experienced, not an official finding that the restraint malfunctioned.

Investigators have not publicly confirmed that a mechanical failure caused Kariem’s ejection. Determining whether the restraint operated correctly will require examination of the equipment and other evidence gathered during the investigation.

Roller coasters rely on several safety systems, and the specific design and operating procedures vary by attraction. An incident involving a rider leaving their seat does not, by itself, establish which component or circumstance was responsible.

The investigation may need to examine the restraint mechanism, the ride’s operating records, maintenance documentation, sensor information and witness accounts. Investigators may also need to consider whether the attraction was operating as intended when the incident occurred.

Until those findings are made public, it would be premature to conclude that the restraint failed or that the park was responsible for the accident.

For Kariem’s relatives, however, the unanswered questions are deeply personal. They are seeking a clearer understanding of the events that led to his death and whether the tragedy could have been prevented.

A BELOVED EDUCATOR WHO SPENT MORE THAN 12 YEARS HELPING STUDENTS
Away from the roller coaster investigation, Kariem is being remembered for a career dedicated to education and technology.

He worked at Wesley International Academy, a charter school in Atlanta, for more than 12 years. Over that time, he served as a technology teacher, robotics coach and IT manager.

His work gave students opportunities to explore computers, technology and creative problem-solving. For some children, his classroom was where they first learned basic computer skills. For others, it became a place where they could discover new interests and imagine future careers.

Atlanta Public Schools described Kariem as a “cherished” member of its educational community and expressed condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and everyone affected by his loss.

Wesley International Academy also released a statement expressing devastation at the death of a colleague who had become an important part of the school’s community.

The school said his commitment to students and his dedication to Wesley were evident throughout his work. His absence, the statement conveyed, would be felt by colleagues and students whose lives he had influenced.

For an educator who had spent more than a decade supporting children, those tributes reflect the breadth of his impact. His role was not limited to maintaining school technology or teaching computer skills; former students describe a teacher who helped make school a more welcoming and memorable place.

FORMER STUDENTS REMEMBER HIS SMILE AND PATIENCE
As news of Kariem’s death spread, former students began sharing memories of the teacher they remembered from the computer lab.

Siblings Soledad Gomez and Juan Pablo Gomez, who had attended Wesley International Academy, said they were shocked when they learned that their former teacher had died.

For them, Kariem was not simply a name in a news report. He was someone who had taught them, encouraged them and helped shape their experience of school.

Soledad recalled his smile, his glasses, his patience and the way he joked with students. She remembered him as someone who did not easily become angry with the children in his classroom and who made them feel comfortable learning.

Juan Pablo remembered the enjoyment students found in Kariem’s lessons, including the informal tradition of “Fun Fridays.”

The memories are simple, but they help explain why his death has had such a strong impact on former pupils. Teachers can become important figures in a child’s life through repeated everyday interactions: explaining a difficult concept, offering encouragement or creating a classroom where students feel they belong.

The siblings said Kariem influenced their own ambitions. Juan Pablo went on to study information technology, while Soledad was completing an elementary education degree.

Soledad said she hoped to honor his example in her own future teaching career.

Their reflections illustrate how an educator’s influence can continue long after students leave the classroom. Kariem’s former pupils are now carrying forward the skills and values they associated with him, even as they mourn his loss.

A TEACHER WHO MADE TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBLE
Kariem’s work in the technology lab was especially meaningful for students who had limited experience with traditional computers.

According to former students and colleagues, some children arrived at school more familiar with touchscreen devices than with a computer mouse. His classroom helped them learn those foundational skills and become more confident using technology.

The work may have appeared ordinary to an outside observer, but such skills can make a lasting difference in a student’s education.

Computer literacy supports learning across many subjects, while robotics can introduce students to engineering, logical reasoning and teamwork. A teacher who creates a welcoming environment can help young people see technology as something they can understand, build with and use to solve problems.

Kariem’s combination of technology instruction and robotics coaching gave him opportunities to work with students in several ways.

The tributes from former pupils suggest that his approach was not simply about teaching equipment or software. Students remember his personality and the atmosphere he created, including his humor and willingness to help.

For the Wesley International Academy community, the loss is therefore both professional and personal. Colleagues have lost a longtime member of their team, and students have lost an educator whose influence extended beyond a single class.

HIS FAMILY REMEMBERS A FATHER AND SURVIVOR
Kariem was also a father, and his family has described him as caring, loving, inspirational and creative.

Relatives said he enjoyed cooking and sharing ideas with others. Those interests offered another glimpse of a person whose life was built around relationships, family and the activities he loved.

His cousin, Marcus Bentley, recalled that Kariem had faced serious challenges during his life, including cancer and a fiery car crash.

Bentley said Kariem continued to joke and find reasons to laugh through difficult experiences. His comments portrayed a man whose sense of humor remained important even when circumstances were painful.

Family members said Kariem had overcome two bouts of cancer, with one occurring in 2018. They also said that he and his daughter had survived a car fire approximately three weeks before the roller coaster incident.

The earlier experiences make the family’s loss especially difficult to process. They had seen Kariem face major challenges and continue moving forward, only to lose him unexpectedly during a family outing.

His relatives have not only had to mourn his death but also navigate the uncertainty surrounding the accident itself.

While investigators work to establish what happened, the family’s memories emphasize the person they knew: a father who loved his family, a relative who continued to find humor during difficult times and an educator whose work mattered to countless children.

THE STATE HAD INSPECTED GOLIATH BEFORE THE ACCIDENT
The fatal incident has brought renewed scrutiny to the inspection and maintenance of Goliath, one of Six Flags Over Georgia’s major roller coasters.

Georgia’s Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire confirmed that it was investigating the accident. The agency is responsible for overseeing amusement-ride safety in the state.

Officials said the ride had been inspected before the season, but an inspection does not, by itself, explain why the incident occurred or rule out every possible issue.

Records reported by CBS News Atlanta indicated that Goliath had passed inspections from 2016 through 2026. The most recent inspection, in March 2026, reportedly noted that bushings needed to be replaced.

Bushings are components used in mechanical systems to reduce friction and help absorb movement or shock between parts. The presence of a maintenance note does not establish that those components contributed to Kariem’s ejection. Investigators would need to determine whether the recorded issue was addressed and whether it had any connection to the accident.

Earlier inspection records reportedly noted corrosion or rust on some parts of the ride in 2016 and 2019, with documentation indicating that those issues were addressed.

These records are potentially relevant to a comprehensive review, but they should not be interpreted as proof that Goliath was unsafe or that a particular defect caused the fatal incident.

Investigators must assess the equipment’s condition, maintenance history and operational data alongside witness accounts and any other available evidence.

The central question remains what happened on October 12 and whether any identifiable problem contributed to the accident.

NINE SIMILAR RIDES TEMPORARILY CLOSED
In response to the incident, Six Flags announced that it was temporarily closing similar attractions across its parks as a precaution.

Nine comparable rides at other locations were affected, in addition to Goliath itself. The attractions use similar restraint arrangements, making them relevant to the company’s precautionary review.

The temporary closures did not establish that those rides had defects. Rather, the company said it was taking the step while authorities investigated the fatal incident.

The decision had wider implications for amusement-park operations, particularly because the attractions were located across multiple parks in North America.

Ride closures can affect visitors and staff, but they also provide time for operators and technical teams to review equipment and procedures when an incident raises questions about a shared design or operating system.

Six Flags said guest and employee safety remained a high priority and that it was cooperating with authorities.

Goliath remained closed as of the latest reports available on October 21, 2026, and the company had not announced a reopening date.

The investigation is expected to guide further decisions about the ride. Until officials release more information, it remains unclear whether the review will identify a specific mechanical problem, an operational issue or another explanation.

SIX FLAGS REOPENS, BUT GOLIATH REMAINS CLOSED
Six Flags Over Georgia reopened as planned on Friday, October 16, following the fatal incident earlier that week.

The reopening allowed visitors to return to the park, but Goliath remained out of operation while the investigation continued.

The decision to reopen the wider park did not mean that the investigation had concluded or that authorities had established the cause of the accident. It reflected the distinction between the attraction involved in the incident and the park’s other operations.

The company said it was cooperating with investigators and expressed condolences to Kariem’s family and others affected.

The state’s investigation and the police inquiry remain important to understanding what happened. Authorities have not publicly announced a definitive cause, and the coaster’s status will depend on the ongoing review and any decisions made by the relevant officials and operator.

For visitors returning to the park, the continued closure of Goliath was a visible reminder that questions about the accident remained unresolved.

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR A COMMUNITY IN MOURNING
Kariem’s family planned a celebration-of-life service for Monday, October 19, at Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam in Atlanta.

The gathering gave relatives, friends and members of the community an opportunity to honor his life and remember the people he touched.

The service followed days of tributes from the school community and former students. Their messages focused on his warmth, his commitment to teaching and the lasting impression he made on children.

For his family, the gathering also offered an opportunity to remember him beyond the headlines and the unanswered questions about the ride.

The accident has attracted national attention because of its circumstances, but the tributes from those who knew Kariem have highlighted a different story: a man who spent years helping young people learn, supporting colleagues and building relationships in his community.

His death has left his daughter and extended family facing a profound loss, while the school where he worked is mourning someone who had been part of its daily life for more than a decade.

WHAT INVESTIGATORS STILL NEED TO DETERMINE
Several major questions remain unresolved in the investigation.

First, authorities need to establish the precise sequence of events that led to Kariem being ejected from the coaster. That includes examining the restraint system, the ride’s operating data and the accounts provided by witnesses and employees.

Second, investigators must determine whether the equipment was functioning properly at the time of the incident. The ride’s inspection and maintenance records may help provide context, but they must be considered alongside direct evidence about the accident.

Third, officials will need to establish whether any operational or other factors contributed to the event. A reliable conclusion requires more than speculation about what may have happened.

The Cobb County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit is investigating the circumstances of Kariem’s death, while the state safety agency is conducting its own review of the ride.

The two inquiries have related but distinct responsibilities. Police are examining the incident and its circumstances, while state officials are focused on amusement-ride safety and compliance with applicable requirements.

The findings could clarify whether changes to maintenance, operating procedures or other safety measures are necessary. Until those findings are released, it is not possible to say whether the accident was preventable or whether a particular individual or organisation was at fault.

A LEGACY THAT EXTENDS BEYOND THE ACCIDENT
As the investigation continues, the strongest theme in the tributes to Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem is the impact he had on other people.

His former students remember a teacher who made them feel welcome and encouraged them to explore technology. His colleagues remember a dedicated member of the Wesley International Academy community. His relatives remember a loving father and a family member who faced serious challenges while continuing to find reasons to laugh.

Those memories provide a fuller picture of his life than the circumstances of the accident alone can offer.

The investigation into Goliath remains important, both for Kariem’s family and for anyone seeking to understand how such an incident occurred. Its conclusions may also have implications for the operation and inspection of similar attractions.

But while the technical questions remain open, the loss felt by his family, students and colleagues is already clear.

Kariem spent more than 12 years helping young people develop skills, discover interests and build confidence. Former pupils are now remembering him as someone who helped shape their ambitions, including students who hope to pursue technology and education themselves.

His death at 42 has left a community grieving and a family searching for answers. As authorities continue examining the evidence, those who knew him are asking that he be remembered not only for the accident that ended his life, but for the years he spent teaching, encouraging and caring for others.

The investigation has not yet established why Kariem was ejected from Goliath. Until the authorities reach a conclusion, the cause of the accident remains unresolved.

What is already evident from the tributes is that Hassan Kariem’s influence reached far beyond the amusement park where he died — into classrooms, families and the lives of students who will continue to remember him.

SOURCES
Atlanta News First — Beloved Atlanta teacher killed in Six Flags roller coaster accident remembered