COBB COUNTY, GA — New details are emerging about the deadly roller coaster accident at Six Flags Over Georgia, including the conditions of four other passengers injured in the incident and the impact of the tragedy on an Atlanta school community.
Cobb County police confirmed that all four injured passengers are juveniles who were transported by ambulance to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities say no additional information about their conditions will be released because they are minors.
The accident happened Monday on the Goliath roller coaster, where Hassan Jihad Kariem fell to his death. Multiple agencies are investigating the incident.
Kariem worked at Wesley International Academy in Atlanta for more than a decade, serving as an IT specialist, technology teacher and robotics coach.
The school’s executive director, Jason Marshall, described Kariem as a beloved member of the school community who was always willing to help others.
“Whatever we asked him to do he’d do it, even if it was outside of his job or school, he was just that kind of human being,” Marshall said.
Marshall said Kariem worked with nearly all of the school’s 800 students through his role as a technology teacher.
“When you’re the tech teacher you see all of the kids right, so we have just under 800 kids and much like the P.E. teacher or the Art teacher, he was one of those folks who got to have a connection with every single child. He knew all the children in the building,” Marshall said.
Outside the classroom, Marshall remembered Kariem as a devoted husband and father who enjoyed talking about Atlanta sports.
“He was always making time for his family. A committed father, a committed husband, just someone you’d want to emulate,” Marshall said.
Wesley International Academy is currently on fall break. Marshall said the school plans to provide additional support for students when classes resume Monday.
“We just think the world of him, we’re devastated,” Marshall said.
Meanwhile, a new CNN analysis of public records and court filings identified dozens of reports involving injuries, maintenance problems and ride malfunctions at more than a dozen Six Flags parks across three states over the past five years.
The reported issues include faulty restraint bars, train derailments and guest injuries such as concussions and dislocated joints.
Two investor lawsuits filed last year also allege that Six Flags delayed basic maintenance, infrastructure repairs and ride updates before its 2024 merger with Cedar Fair.
Six Flags says its maintenance and safety procedures “meet or exceed industry standards” and that the company remains “committed to rigorous ride inspection.”
As the investigation continues, roller coaster expert Brian Avery is encouraging park visitors to review ride restrictions before boarding.
“When you visit an amusement park theme park ride, you’ve got to stop at the front entrance and you’ve got to read the signs. You’ve got to identify any specific restrictions or caveats to ride,” Avery said.
He says riders should ask attendants for clarification if restrictions involving height, weight or medical conditions are unclear.
Six Flags Over Georgia plans to reopen Friday, but the Goliath roller coaster will remain closed.