Man who died in Georgia’s Six Flags roller coaster crash was father and educator | Georgia

Police on Tuesday identified the victim of the fatal crash at Six Flags Over Georgia as Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, of Atlanta.

Kariem died after being thrown from his seat and several other people were injured in an incident involving a roller coaster at the theme park.

Although authorities and Six Flags have not identified the roller coaster, video footage shows passengers being evacuated from the park’s Goliath roller coaster.

Kariem was the father of a 10-year-old daughter and an educator in Atlanta, Georgia.

According to Atlanta Public Schools, Kariem began his career at Wesley International Academy as a technology teacher before being promoted to IT manager.

“Atlanta Public Schools extends its deepest condolences to Mr. Kariem’s family, friends and loved ones,” an APS spokesperson shared in a statement obtained by the Guardian.

“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 whose lives he touched,” the statement added.

Wesley International Academy did not immediately respond to the Guardian’s request for comment.

Kariem’s ​​family spoke with 11Alive’s Chase Houle and shared that he has overcome many challenges in life, including two bouts with cancer. The last visit dates back to 2018.

Additionally, her family said Kariem and her daughter survived a car fire three weeks ago. Both men remained unharmed during the incident.

The Cobb County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit has opened an investigation into Kariem’s ​​death.

It is unclear what led to the fatal crash, how the others were injured or their condition.

Since Kariem’s ​​death, Six Flags has temporarily closed nine roller coasters across six theme parks in the United States.

The incident comes less than two weeks after Six Flags Magic Mountain in Southern California announced the permanent closure of its popular X2 roller coaster, amid lawsuits alleging serious brain injuries caused by the attraction.

The park had settled a wrongful death lawsuit from the family of a 22-year-old man who died after riding the roller coaster in 2022.

Last year, a 32-year-old man died after riding a high-speed roller coaster at the Universal Epic Universe theme park in Florida. He died from blunt force injuries and his death was ruled accidental.

According to a local Atlanta news station, Six Flags Over Georgia remains closed due to the off-season schedule and is expected to reopen Friday.