Who Was Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem? Six Flags Goliath Victim Was Atlanta School Teacher as Nine Coasters Shut Down

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, the 42-year-old Atlanta man who died following a roller coaster incident at Six Flags Over Georgia, worked at Wesley International Academy, a charter school in the Atlanta Public Schools district.

Cobb County Police identified him on Tuesday, 13 October, a day after the incident on the park's Goliath coaster. Investigators said preliminary interviews with witnesses and park employees indicated that he was ejected from the ride, struck other patrons and fell beneath the attraction.

His death prompted Six Flags to close nine additional roller coasters at six other parks across the US and Canada as a precaution. No cause of the incident has been announced.

A 'Cherished Member' of His School Community

Atlanta Public Schools confirmed that Kariem worked at Wesley International Academy, which serves pupils from kindergarten to eighth grade. The district did not specify his exact role in its statement.

NBC News reported that the school website listed him as an IT manager, while FOX 5 Atlanta said his LinkedIn profile described him as a technology teacher. His family described him to 11Alive as an educator.

The district paid tribute to his contribution to the school community.

'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,' it said.

Wesley International Academy also told families that his loss would be deeply felt throughout its community.

Witness Describes the Incident

Logan Conner, who was riding with his fiancée, told NBC News that he saw Kariem come out of his seat. 'The man started levitating in the air sideways,' he said.

Police said other patrons were struck during the incident, and reports indicated that several people were injured. Officers responded at approximately 3.58pm on Monday and found Kariem unresponsive beneath the attraction.

The witness accounts form part of the information available to investigators. They describe what riders saw but do not establish why Kariem came out of his seat or what caused the incident.

Six Flags said its staff and local authorities responded immediately and that it was cooperating with the investigation.

Nine Additional Coasters Closed

Six Flags temporarily closed nine additional roller coasters at six other parks 'out of an abundance of caution', according to a company spokesperson.

The closures cover Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America, Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain and Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure.

In Canada, Leviathan and Behemoth at Canada's Wonderland were also closed. The other affected rides are Fury 325 and Thunder Striker at Carowinds, and Orion and Diamondback at Kings Island.

With Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia also shut, the total number of temporarily closed rides reached ten. The nine additional closures extend the operational response beyond the Georgia park, but do not establish that investigators have identified a common fault.

'We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today,' Six Flags said in its statement following the death. The company added that it was cooperating fully with local authorities as they completed their investigation.

Investigators Examine the Circumstances

Cobb County Police's Major Crimes Unit and Georgia's Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire are investigating the incident.

The state office said it was conducting a comprehensive review of the circumstances and compliance with applicable policies and procedures. Investigators have not announced what caused the fatal ejection.

For Kariem's school community, the immediate loss is that of a colleague whose presence and contribution the district said would be deeply missed by pupils, staff and families.