AUSTELL, GA. (THECOUNT) — Hassan Jihad Kariem, 42, of Atlanta, an education technology professional who served as IT manager at Wesley International Academy, has been identified as the man who died after being ejected from a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia in Cobb County, near Atlanta, Georgia, Monday afternoon.
Cobb County Police said officers responded to the amusement park shortly before 4 p.m. on October 12 and found Kariem unresponsive and not breathing beneath the attraction. Preliminary information gathered through witness and employee interviews indicated he was ejected from the ride, struck other patrons and fell beneath the coaster.
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The incident prompted an emergency response and an evacuation of riders. Four other people were reported injured, although authorities have not released details about the extent of their injuries. The park’s Goliath roller coaster was halted following the incident.
The Cobb County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding Kariem’s death. The Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire also announced an investigation into the incident. Officials have not publicly explained what caused Kariem to be ejected from the ride.
Six Flags said it was deeply saddened by the incident and extended condolences to Kariem’s family and loved ones. The company said it was providing support to affected guests and employees and cooperating fully with authorities. Out of respect for the family’s privacy, the company declined to release additional details.
Beyond the tragedy, Kariem’s professional background included years of work in education technology and instructional technology. His professional profile listed a master’s degree in Instructional Technology and nearly a decade of experience helping integrate technology at local and regional levels.
Kariem served as IT manager at Wesley International Academy, where he said he had spent two years leading technology initiatives designed to align the school’s IT infrastructure with instructional goals and support learning for students and educators.
His work focused on designing and managing education technology solutions intended to make learning more engaging and accessible. He described himself as a creative problem solver who adapted to emerging technologies and managed competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
In the wake of the fatal incident, Six Flags temporarily closed nine similar roller coasters across six parks as a precaution while the investigation continued.
Six Flags Over Georgia is located in Austell, Cobb County, approximately 15 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Google Maps: Six Flags Over Georgia, 275 Riverside Parkway, Austell, Georgia
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