Family of Georgia man who died on Six Flags roller coaster questions preventability
The brother-in-law of Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, who died after being ejected from the Goliath coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, said the family is seeking answers about whether the incident could have been avoided.
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was thrown from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia while riding with his niece during a family birthday celebration. The incident, which resulted in his death, is being investigated by the Cobb County police major crimes unit.
Joshua Nelson, Kariem’s brother-in-law, told Atlanta ABC affiliate WSB-TV that his daughter, who was seated beside Kariem, said the man "passed out" and that the ride’s latch appeared to have come loose before he fell. Nelson added that while he believes the event may have been an accident, the family is questioning whether it could have been prevented.
Kariem, a technology teacher and information-technology manager at Wesley International Academy, was survived by a ten-year-old daughter. Georgia authorities said the investigation was ongoing as of Friday, the same day Six Flags reopened after the incident.
Following the death, Six Flags temporarily suspended operations on nine roller coasters across six of its parks in the United States.