Georgia Man Dies After Being Thrown From Roller Coaster

A Georgia man died after being thrown from a roller coaster at Six Flags. His story carries a heavy weight because he had cheated death just weeks before this tragedy struck. Hassan Kariem, 42, was a two-time lymphoma survivor who also spent time in the hospital battling COVID. Family friends told WSB-TV of his past struggles with illness.

About three weeks prior to the ride, his family said he and his 10-year-old step-daughter were in a fiery car accident that totaled their vehicle. Yet, they walked away from that blaze unscathed, according to 11 Alive reports. Kariem had grown up visiting Six Flags Over Georgia every summer with relatives. He returned Monday to keep the tradition alive with his partner, her daughter, and her niece.

His life ended tragically around 4 pm on that day. Witnesses say he was violently thrown from his seat on the Goliath rollercoaster right in front of horrified passengers. He struck the ride three times before police found him unresponsive behind a haunted house attraction set up for Halloween. Four other people were rushed to the hospital after the incident.

We are absolutely devastated by this loss, said family friend Elicia Day. Any loss of a family member or friend is tragic, she noted. But to lose him in this manner is beyond words can even express. I just really want a full investigation, and we want answers about how this happened. She added that the community needs clarity on exactly what occurred.

Cobb County police stated it appears Kariem was ejected from the ride and struck other patrons before falling beneath the attraction. Authorities are now looking into exactly what went wrong on the ride, which has been a staple of the theme park since 2006. But witnesses have claimed the restraints on this coaster, reaching heights over 200 feet, made a weird clicking noise. This sound prompted park staff to check the restraints multiple times before the car Kariem was in took off.

Moments later, horrific photos captured him falling 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 rode with his fiancée that day. The cart went back up in the air, flipped, came down, then he hit the cart again. It went back up in the air, came down, and hit the cart a third time before the ride stopped. As the last hit happened, the scene turned to chaos.

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,' the family said. '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, 22, died after riding the X2 rollercoaster at Six Flags Mountain Magic with his brother and cousin in 2022.

Two women suffered devastating injuries after riding rollercoasters at Six Flags parks, sparking immediate concern over ride safety. Naomi Greer-Wilkinson, 25 years old, collapsed moments after her ride and was diagnosed with massive brain bleeding inside her skull. She required emergency surgery to address the trauma but now remains in a vegetative state. Doctors say she cannot speak or move and depends entirely on a ventilator for breathing. Another rider, Pamela Guillen, 40, experienced severe brain hemorrhages while on the X2 coaster at Six Flags Valencia in California. Her daughter Camille Marquez described the scene to CNN with heartbreaking clarity. We got off the cart and we saw my mom. She looked lifeless. Not a thought behind her eyes, nothing.

Park officials have taken swift action by temporarily closing the Goliath attraction along with several other rides at Six Flags locations nationwide. They stated this decision comes out of an abundance of caution following these recent incidents. It remains unclear what exactly caused such tragedies, though investigations are underway to determine if mechanical failure or rider error played a role. Six Flags Magic Mountain in California had already announced plans to demolish its notorious X2 rollercoaster earlier this year. That coaster became the subject of multiple lawsuits alleging it caused severe injuries to riders over time.

The theme park operator settled a wrongful-death lawsuit involving Christopher Hawley, who died after riding the same coaster in 2022. Three additional lawsuits were filed claiming traumatic brain injuries occurred during rides on the attraction. After two women needed hospitalization for similar issues less than a week apart, the ride was closed starting July 12 evening. More legal actions are expected within coming weeks as attorneys prepare new filings. Naomi Greer-Wilkinson's family has already sued Six Flags on her behalf. Her lawyers noted that more than 100 people have claimed they suffered brain injuries from this rollercoaster over the past two years. Camille Marquez said her mother now needs constant care and support while recovering from life-altering damage. The community watches closely as authorities review safety protocols across these amusement parks.