Goliath Coaster's Sudden Closure Linked to Teacher's Tragic Fall
WHO:
CNN - Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, an Atlanta resident and “cherished member” of Wesley International Academy, died after falling from the coaster.
CNN - Joshua Nelson was present at the park with Kariem and his family to celebrate the 13th birthday of one of Nelson’s daughters.
NY Post - Two teachers were present at Six Flags Over Georgia during the incident.
WHAT:
CNN - Four minors were injured in the incident, but no further details about their condition will be released due to their age.
CNN - Goliath is a “hypercoaster” that lasts 210 seconds, reaches speeds of 70 mph, and has a height of 200 feet.
NY Post - The Goliath roller coaster was closed for maintenance just hours before a teacher's fatal fall.
TMZ - The Goliath ride had no issues reported during its most recent state inspection.
WHERE:
TMZ - The incident occurred at Six Flags Over Georgia.
WHEN:
TMZ - The last state inspection of the Goliath ride occurred approximately seven months before the fatal incident.
WHY:
NY Post - The Goliath coaster was closed for maintenance, with a park worker conducting a test at the time of the incident.
HOW:
CNN - An investigative team is reviewing evidence, equipment, and documentation to determine if state safety requirements were followed.
CNN - Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King stated that Goliath’s most recent OCI inspection occurred on March 16, 2026, with no violations reported.
TMZ - The state compliance office conducted an annual mandatory inspection of the Goliath ride.
(UPDATED October 17, 2026 11:56 UTC)
Tragically, Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old resident of Atlanta and a beloved member of Wesley International Academy, died after falling from the Goliath coaster, while Joshua Nelson was at the park celebrating his daughter's 13th birthday with Kariem and his family. In addition to the fatality, four minors were injured in the incident, although details about their conditions are not being released due to their age. An investigative team is currently reviewing evidence and equipment to ensure that state safety requirements were followed, and Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King confirmed that Goliath's last inspection on March 16, 2026, reported no violations.
--
(UPDATED October 17, 2026 01:18 UTC)
A tragic incident occurred at Six Flags Over Georgia, where a teacher fell from the Goliath roller coaster, which had been closed for maintenance just hours prior. The ride had recently passed a state inspection, conducted approximately seven months before the incident, with no issues reported at that time. At the moment of the fall, a park worker was conducting a test on the coaster, highlighting the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate event.