Cancer Survivor Dies After Falling From Georgia Six Flags Ride

A Georgia man who lost his life after falling from a rollercoaster at Six Flags was also a cancer survivor who had narrowly escaped death in a terrible car fire only three weeks prior. Hassan Kariem, 42, survived two bouts of lymphoma and spent time hospitalized for COVID, according to family friends who spoke with WSB-TV.

Just about a month ago, his family confirmed he was involved in a fiery crash that totaled the vehicle he shared with his 10-year-old step-daughter. Miraculously, both father and step-child walked away without serious injury, as 11 Alive reported.

Kariem had spent summers visiting Six Flags Over Georgia with relatives for years. His cousins told Fox 5 that he returned to the park on Monday to keep a beloved family tradition alive alongside his partner, her daughter, and her niece.

His life ended tragically around 4 pm that day when he was violently thrown from his seat on the Goliath rollercoaster while other passengers watched in horror. He struck the ride structure three times before police found him unresponsive behind a haunted house attraction set up for Halloween. Four others were rushed to hospitals following the incident.

We are absolutely devastated by this loss, said family friend Elicia Day. Any loss of a loved one is tragic, but losing him in this way is beyond words can even express. She added that she wants a full investigation and answers about exactly how this happened.

Cobb County police stated it appears Kariem was ejected from the ride and struck other patrons before falling beneath the attraction. Authorities are now investigating what went wrong on the Goliath, which has been a staple of the theme park since 2006.

Some witnesses claimed the restraints on the rollercoaster were making a weird clicking noise right before departure. This prompted park staff to check the safety bars multiple times before the car Kariem was in took off. Moments later, he caught others in horrific photos as he fell headfirst over other riders while families and small children recoiled in horror.

The man started levitating in the air sideways, then came back [and hit the cart], witness Logan Conner told WXIA. He said the cart went back up in the air, flipped, came down, and he hit the cart again before going back up in the air one more time. The ride stopped after that last impact.

His story is a stark reminder of how quickly life can change, especially for someone who had already faced so much hardship recently.

We made direct eye contact with him,' Conner noted. His fiancée was later seen crying as she tried to describe what they had witnessed in a video taken after the couple got off the ride, which was evacuated in the aftermath. 'The Goliath at Six Flags just launched a man out of his seat, three times on our car,' she said through tears. Riders were left screaming on the towering rollercoaster after the man fell to his death. The victim died and several others were injured during an incident on the 200-foot-tall Goliath rollercoaster at the theme park outside Atlanta, Georgia on Monday.

After Kariem was identified as the victim, Atlanta Public Schools said in a statement that he would be remembered as a beloved educator and technology professional in the district. 'He was a cherished member of the Wesley International Academy and APS families whose presence and impact will be deeply missed by our students, staff, and all those whose lives he touched,' the school district said. 'Our thoughts are with everyone mourning his loss during this difficult time.'

When he wasn't teaching, Day said Kariem kept busy with his 3D printing business because he loved technology. Family members further described him to 11 Alive as a passionate educator who loved his city and was invested in bringing families together at extended family gatherings. His greatest devotion, though, was reserved for his family and the young girl he raised on his own. 'He loved doing that, he loved kids,' cousin Geo Ashe told Fox 5. 'And he doesn't have any biological kids, but his stepdaughter is his daughter. She's been with him since she was two, three years old.'

Family members described Kariem as the sunshine of our family. 'He was the sunshine of our family,' Ashe continued. 'Our whole family is devastated by this because it just happened out [of] the blue. It happened how it happened, and you would never expect anything like that.' Family members now want the community to remember the generosity, kindness and character they said defined Kariem's life as they asked for privacy.

'San was exceptionally intelligent, thoughtful and kind,' the family said in a statement, using a nickname for Kariem. 'He had a gentle spirit and a warmth that made people feel safe, seen and valued.' Though he was a strong presence - a gentle giant in every sense - his strength was never intimidating. It was comforting. He carried himself with humility, patience and compassion, giving generously to his family, students, colleagues, friends and community. 'His life holds meaning far beyond anything shared online,' the family noted. 'He will always share a place in our hearts, our family and the Atlanta community.'

Christopher Hawley (center), 22, died after riding the X2 rollercoaster at Six Flags Mountain Magic with his brother and cousin in 2022.

Naomi Greer-Wilkinson, 25, collapsed after the ride and suffered massive brain bleeding. Pamela Guillen, 40, rode the X2 and endured severe brain hemorrhages. It remains unclear what may have caused this tragedy. Park officials said they closed the Goliath along with other rides at Six Flags attractions across the nation out of an abundance of caution.

Six Flags Magic Mountain in California had previously announced it was demolishing its notorious X2 rollercoaster. This decision followed a series of lawsuits alleging severe injuries to riders. The theme park operator settled a wrongful-death lawsuit from the family of 22-year-old Christopher Hawley, who died after riding the coaster in 2022. Three other lawsuits alleging traumatic brain injuries were also filed.

The ride had been closed since the evening of July 12. Two women who rode the coaster less than a week apart needed to be rushed to the hospital immediately. One of them is Naomi Greer-Wilkinson. She collapsed shortly after the ride ended and was found with massive brain bleeding inside her skull. This condition required emergency brain surgery.

She now remains in a vegetative state in the hospital. She cannot speak or move. She is dependent on a ventilator for breathing. Her family has filed a lawsuit against Six Flags on her behalf. Her attorneys say more than 100 people have claimed they suffered brain injuries from the rollercoaster over the past two years.

Another woman, Pamela Guillen, rode the X2 at Six Flags in Valencia, California. She suffered severe brain hemorrhages after that ride. Her daughter, Camille Marquez, told CNN about seeing her mother right after getting off the cart. 'We got off the cart and we saw my mom,' Marquez said. 'She looked lifeless. Not a thought behind her eyes, nothing.'

More lawsuits would be filed in the coming weeks, the lawyers then vowed. The situation continues to unfold for families seeking answers and justice.