The family of a man who fell to his death at Six Flags Over Georgia is pleading with the public to stop sharing images of his fatal fall online.
The incident happened on Monday on the Goliath roller coaster. Cobb County police identified the victim on Tuesday as 42-year-old Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem who is an Atlanta teacher. The incident also injured at least four others.
Police say Kariem was ejected from the ride and struck other visitors before falling beneath the attraction. Authorities found him on a nearby roof.
Police said the incident occurred just before 4 p.m., forcing the ride to stop with a set of cars stranded at the top.
According to the New York Post, official souvenir photos caught the horror. In the picture, you can see Kariem falling over another passenger, with his feet in the air.
A woman named Arabia, who identified herself as Kariem’s cousin, is now begging people to not share images of his death online.
“We’re still trying to process everything that has happened today. So, seeing his body being posted is very degrading, distasteful, and extremely insensitive,” she said in an Instagram video.
Arabia says the family is now looking for the individual who originally posted the photos. She is asking that no one repost the images in the meantime.
A family friend told WSB that Kariem was a cancer and COVID-19 survivor. And just weeks ago, she said Kariem and his daughter survived a car fire.
Meanwhile, witnesses are coming forward with more details about what took place.
One witness told WXIA that Kariem “fell and hit the car three different times” before falling onto the roof of a haunted house attraction.
A couple who also rode the coaster said they watched him hit the ride three times.
A different witness told the outlet that Kariem fell onto a girl two rows ahead of her. She said he appeared to be on the ride with his child, while his wife and daughter watched from the ground.
“We were having a great time, and to just screaming, ‘Oh my God, what is happening?’” the woman said. She said workers checked their safety harnesses before the ride.
CiCi Nelson told CNN she was in line to ride the roller coaster when a cart pulled up with an empty seat.
She said one man was “freaking out, saying someone fell off” and was urging staff to call for help.
That’s when she noticed one seat sat empty with the safety bar loose. She also spotted another young passenger who appeared injured and covered in blood.
“Once I saw the girl and the loose safety bar, my stomach dropped, and I was terrified,” Nelson said.
Six Flags Over Georgia first opened in the summer of 1967, according to WSB.
Six Flags Over Georgia introduced Goliath in 2006. The ride was built by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), a Swiss roller coaster manufacturer. According to Six Flags, the “hypercoaster” reaches a height of 200 feet and speeds of up to 70 mph, with a ride duration of approximately 210 seconds.
B&M says it is “actively investigating the incident,” but had no further comment, “until we have a better understanding of what transpired.”
Six Flags also released a statement after the tragedy saying, “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest’s family, friends, and loved ones. We are also providing support to the guests and team members affected.”
“The park team and local authorities responded immediately, and we are cooperating fully with local authorities as they complete their investigation,” it continued.
The theme park is in its offseason and was open on Monday for a federal holiday. The park remains closed, and officials have not announced a reopening date.
Six Flags representatives have temporarily closed several rides following the incident, including Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain and Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure.
Before Monday’s incident, Six Flags Over Georgia has had at least seven deaths since its opening in 1967, according to The Doan Law Firm, which tracks amusement park deaths.
The Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire is investigating Kariem’s death.
