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Dad who died after falling from Six Flags ‘Goliath’ rollercoaster identified
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The father who died at Six Flags Over Georgia after falling off the Goliath roller coaster has been identified.
42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was killed after falling from the 200ft tall theme park attraction while the ride was in progress.
Kariem was on board the roller coaster with his son as his wife and daughter watched on at the time of the tragic incident.
He fell from the roller coaster, as terrified eyewitnesses looked on.
His fall may even have been captured on souvenir photos taken as the ride goes around.
It believed that Hassan struck three cars before landing below in a haunted house, according to witness reports.
Logan Conner, an attendee at the park yesterday, said that the man who fell ‘started levitating in the air sideways’ as he fell.
Officials later said that four other people were injured.
Another woman on board the ride said: "He hit a girl two rows in front of us on the Goliath ride right where the pictures are taken,
"His blood splattered over everybody, and his body fell behind one of the haunted attractions.”
Six Flags, the biggest amusement park company in the USA, has shut down the nine ‘gigacoasters’ at its parks across the USA ‘out of an abundance of caution.’
Mr Kariem was a ‘cherished member’ of the Wesley International Academy, where he was a school teacher, according to a statement released by Atlanta Public Schools.
The statement said that his 'presence and impact will be deeply missed by our students, staff, and all those whose lives he touched.’
The district added: "Atlanta Public Schools extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Mr. Kariem.”
"Our thoughts are with everyone mourning his loss during this difficult time"
One witness to the event claimed that the exact moment the man fell from the Goliath rollercoaster was actually captured on their souvenir picture at the park.
Another woman seemed to confirm reports that the man was riding the coaster with his son, with his wife and daughter watching him below as he fell to his death.
An uncorroborated post by a Reddit user also claimed to be in line to ride the rollercoaster as the accident unfolded.
"'The train pulled into the station, all the riders were distressed," they wrote. "A man who was sitting next to [the person who died] was screaming that whoever was sitting next to him fell out."
In a statement following the tragedy, a spokesperson for Six Flags said that "our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest's family, friends and loved ones.
"We are also providing support to the guests and team members affected."