Niece Claims Teacher Passed Out Before Roller Coaster Death

A teacher died after plummeting from a Six Flags over Georgia roller coaster, but his traumatized niece claims he passed out before being ejected. Hassan Kariem, 42, fell to his death on Monday at the Austell, Georgia park while riding Goliath. Four other people were injured during the incident.

His niece, Navi, was celebrating her thirteenth birthday when she sat next to him as the tragedy happened. Her father, Joshua Nelson, told WSB that she said he fainted or passed out right before things went wrong. According to Nelson, his daughter described how the ride went up again and then his latch snapped or came loose, causing him to fall.

Nelson believes Kariem died in a freak accident, yet part of him wonders if the tragedy could have been prevented. He finds solace knowing that his brother-in-law had a good conversation with Navi just before the ride took off. The late teacher was excited to share Goliath with her because it was his favorite ride. He told his niece they were going to have fun and asked her to hold his sunglasses.

That moment of happiness might be the last thing he remembers, Nelson added. I do hope that he didn't feel any pain at all. The family is asking people to stop sharing viral images of the educator falling over other passengers and flying head-first into the ride structure. Witnesses described a gruesome scene where Kariem flew out of his seat and collided with the metal frame multiple times before hitting the ground, leaving blood everywhere.

Others alleged that the restraints on the roller coaster were making a weird clicking noise, which prompted park staff to check them multiple times before the ride started. Logan Conner, a man sitting in the same carriage, said passengers made direct eye contact with him as Kariem fell head-first out of the coaster. He described how Kariem levitated briefly before he fell.

An investigation has been launched into Kariem's death to determine what happened. State officials and Cobb County Major Crimes detectives are evaluating the coaster's lap bar restraints, locking mechanisms, and computerized safety sensors. A Six Flags spokesperson told the Daily Mail that they were deeply saddened by the guest incident at their park. They said their thoughts and heartfelt condolences were with the guest's family, friends, and loved ones.

The team stated that the park staff and local authorities responded immediately and are cooperating fully as investigators complete their work. The spokesperson added that the park would not comment further out of respect for the family's privacy while they grieved. Six Flags was closed from Tuesday through Thursday so that everyone could process the events.

Goliath will not be spinning this Friday evening when the park swings its doors back open. The giant ride remains shut indefinitely following a tragedy that sent shockwaves through the industry. At least eleven roller coasters across the United States and Canada have been pulled from service, nine of them built by Bollinger & Mabillard, the same firm responsible for Goliath in Georgia. These machines all sport clamshell restraints mounted on a vertical bar between the rider's knees. The mechanism locks padded fabric over the lap and upper legs to hold passengers down during the drop.

It is hard to tell from photos whether any of those other coasters have backup seat belts or secondary safety measures. Goliath has none. That gap in protection stands out starkly against the backdrop of uncertainty surrounding what happened on Monday. Bollinger & Mabillard issued a brief email stating they would hold off on further comment until they gained a better understanding of exactly how events unfolded. They are waiting for clarity before speaking again to the public.

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation took immediate action to protect its guests and staff. Spokesperson Sara Gorgon told the Daily Mail that out of an abundance of caution, similar attractions across their parks were temporarily closed. The list of affected rides is long. Raging Bull sits idle at Six Flags Great America in Illinois. Nitro has stopped running at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. Leviathan and Behemoth are grounded at Canada's Wonderland in Ontario. Fury 325 and Thunder Striker remain stuck at Carowinds in North Carolina and South Carolina. Orion and Diamondback have been taken out of commission at Kings Island in Ohio. Mako at SeaWorld Orlando has also joined the list of stopped coasters, according to WFTV.

The Goliath reaches speeds of 70mph and climbs over 200 feet into the air. It is the tallest roller coaster in Georgia. For many fans, it was a favorite spot. According to Nelson, Kariem loved that specific ride before everything went wrong. Now, communities are left wondering if other parks missed something vital regarding these restraint systems. The closure of so many similar attractions highlights how quickly one incident can ripple outward, limiting access to entertainment while authorities try to ensure no one else is put at risk.