Atlanta educator dies, several injured in Six Flags roller-coaster incident

The Big Picture

Six Flags Over Georgia reopened as scheduled Friday, Oct. 16, after a fatal roller-coaster incident that killed Atlanta educator Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem and injured several other people earlier in the week.

Cobb County police said Kariem, 42, was ejected from a ride shortly before 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 12. Preliminary information from witness and employee interviews indicated he struck other patrons before falling beneath the attraction, police said. Investigators have not publicly said what caused him to be ejected or released details on the injuries to the other guests.

Six Flags temporarily closed nine similar roller coasters at six parks in the United States and Canada as a precaution. The company said it was cooperating with authorities and was "deeply saddened" by the incident.

What Happened

The incident occurred at the Six Flags park in Cobb County, northwest of Atlanta. The department's Major Crimes Unit is investigating.

Police identified the man who died as Kariem, an Atlanta resident. Officials initially did not name the ride involved. However, witnesses identified the attraction as Goliath, and aerial footage showed the Goliath coaster stopped with passengers being evacuated by workers.

Witness accounts described Kariem being thrown from the ride and striking parts of the coaster or other riders. Those accounts helped form the preliminary police account, but they do not establish why the ejection occurred. Officials have not publicly confirmed whether a restraint malfunction, medical emergency or another factor was involved.

Goliath opened in 2006 and reaches speeds of up to about 70 mph, according to Six Flags and news reports. Reports differ on the ride's precise dimensions, though multiple outlets have described it as roughly 200 feet high with a drop of about 170 feet.

What Each Side Is Saying

Six Flags said its park team and local authorities responded immediately. In a statement, the company said its thoughts and condolences were with Kariem's family, friends and loved ones, and that it was providing support to affected guests and employees.

Kariem's family has questioned whether his death could have been prevented. Joshua Nelson, identified by The Guardian as Kariem's brother-in-law, told Atlanta television station WSB-TV that Kariem's niece, who was seated beside him, said he appeared to pass out before a latch came loose. That account has not been confirmed by police or state investigators.

The Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire, which oversees amusement-ride safety rules in the state, is also reviewing the incident and the ride's compliance with applicable regulations. The office said it was conducting an in-depth review of the circumstances.

Background

Kariem had worked at Wesley International Academy in Atlanta for more than 12 years, serving as an IT manager, technology teacher and robotics coach. Atlanta Public Schools described him as a cherished member of the school community, while Wesley called him a beloved colleague and friend.

His family said he was a father and had survived two bouts of cancer. He was at the park during a family outing to celebrate his niece's birthday, according to relatives.

The ride closures followed the Georgia incident, but Six Flags did not publicly specify every attraction affected. The closures were described by the company as an abundance-of-caution measure while the investigation continues.

What Happens Next

The central unanswered question is what led to Kariem's ejection. Cobb County police have said the investigation remains ongoing, and state safety officials are separately examining the ride and related procedures.

The park's reopening does not resolve those questions. Six Flags Over Georgia had been closed Tuesday under its scheduled operating calendar and reopened Friday as planned, according to the company and later reporting. Authorities have not announced when they expect to release further findings.