Just weeks before his sudden death on a Georgia roller coaster, Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem and his daughter survived a terrifying car fire.
Now, another heartbreaking detail has emerged about the 42-year-old educator — and it makes the tragedy surrounding his death even harder for his loved ones to comprehend.
Appeared to come loose from his seat
The fatal accident at Six Flags Over Georgia has left people across the U.S. shaken.
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, died on Monday, Oct. 12, after falling from the Goliath roller coaster while visiting the amusement park with his family.
Horrified witnesses told local media that Kariem appeared to come loose from his seat before falling to the ground below.
The ride was immediately stopped following the incident, while aerial footage from the scene showed riders being carefully helped off the roller coaster.
Officers who arrived at the scene found Kariem unresponsive and not breathing. The department’s Major Crimes Unit is investigating exactly what led to the fatal incident.
Meanwhile, more details are emerging about Kariem, who is now being remembered as a beloved dad and teacher.
Faced horrible challenges in his life
The tragedy is especially heartbreaking when you learn about everything he had already been through in his life — and the frightening ordeal he and his daughter had survived just weeks before his death.
Kariem had already faced serious challenges in his life, including cancer and a severe battle with COVID-19. According to a longtime family friend, he and his daughter had also managed to escape a car fire only weeks before the fatal incident at Six Flags Over Georgia.
“He had survived so much already,” family friend Elicia Day told ABC affiliate WSB-TV, describing the loss as devastating for everyone who knew him.
His family and friends are now left trying to make sense of a tragedy that came after he had seemingly overcome so many frightening moments.
“We’re absolutely devastated by this loss,” Day said.
“Any loss of a family member or friend is tragic, but to lose him in this manner, this way, it is beyond words can even express.”
Kariem worked as an IT manager at Wesley International Academy in Atlanta, where he had previously worked as an IT specialist and technology teacher. Atlanta Public Schools remembered him as a cherished member of its school community.
“Atlanta Public Schools extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Mr. Kariem,” the district said.
Loved his work
His family has also been speaking about how much he loved his work and the people around him.
A witness told WXIA that Kariem’s son was sitting beside him on the Goliath when the incident happened. His wife and daughter were not on the ride at the time.
The Goliath reaches about 200 feet at its highest point and can reach speeds of up to 70 mph. As Kariem’s loved ones mourn, they are also calling for answers about what happened that afternoon.
“We want answers about how this happened,” Day said.
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