A 42-year-old man who died after falling from a rollercoaster at Six Flags Over Georgia had previously survived cancer and escaped a vehicle fire just weeks before the tragedy, his grieving family has revealed.
Hassan Kariem lost his life on Monday, October 12, following an incident involving the Goliath rollercoaster at the amusement park in Austell, Georgia.
His death has devastated relatives, who say he had already overcome several extraordinary challenges and was looking forward to his future.
Now, his sister has spoken about the man behind the headlines, revealing details of his remarkable survival stories and the lasting impact he had on those closest to him.
Six Flags victim had beaten cancer before fatal accident
According to his family, Hassan Kariem had previously battled cancer and was in remission at the time of his death.
His younger sister, 35-year-old Andrea Clark, revealed the information during an emotional interview with the New York Post.
She explained that her brother had endured significant difficulties throughout his life but had repeatedly managed to overcome them.
Despite his previous health challenges, Clark described him as healthy and able-bodied before the rollercoaster incident.
His recovery from cancer was one of several experiences that made his sudden death particularly difficult for the family to comprehend.
He survived a terrifying car fire just weeks earlier
In another extraordinary revelation, Kariem's family said he had survived a vehicle fire approximately one month before his death.
Details about the circumstances of the fire have not been publicly established, but his sister confirmed that he escaped the incident.
Having survived both cancer and the vehicle fire, his family had already witnessed him overcome two potentially life-threatening situations.
Clark expressed disbelief that her brother had survived so much, only to lose his life during a visit to an amusement park.
She told the New York Post that she struggled to understand how the tragedy could have happened.
Who was Hassan Kariem?
Kariem worked as an IT manager for Atlanta Public Schools, where he was employed at the time of his death.
The school district subsequently confirmed his employment and offered condolences to his loved ones.
Outside work, Kariem was remembered as a devoted family man who regularly put others before himself.
His sister said he had taken an active role in helping raise his fiancée's daughter and worked hard to support the people he loved.
Clark described her brother as someone capable of handling almost anything, praising his determination and willingness to help others.
"He's an amazing person," she told the New York Post.
Reflecting on their close relationship, she added: "The coolest part about me was him."
She also described him as her hero.
What happened on the Goliath rollercoaster?
Kariem died following an incident on the Goliath hypercoaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday afternoon.
The attraction stands approximately 200 feet tall and reaches speeds of up to 70mph.
It features steep drops and a large spiral section, making it one of the park's most prominent thrill rides.
Witnesses reported seeing a passenger fall from the rollercoaster while it was travelling along the track.
One witness told local station WXIA that the man appeared in photographs captured during the ride.
The witness also claimed that he struck part of the rollercoaster multiple times during the incident.
However, these descriptions remain eyewitness accounts, and investigators have not yet publicly confirmed the exact sequence of events.
The circumstances that caused Kariem to fall remain under investigation.
Family makes emotional plea over footage of his final moments
As reports of the incident circulated online, Kariem's family became increasingly distressed by photographs and videos allegedly showing the final moments of his life.
His sister urged members of the public to stop sharing the material.
Speaking to the New York Post, Clark described the circulation of the footage as deeply upsetting.
"That's just evil," she said.
She added: "It's tragic, and I feel like we've gone too far as a society."
Her comments highlighted the additional distress families can experience when graphic material involving a loved one's death spreads across social media.
Six Flags closes similar rollercoasters following tragedy
Following the fatal incident, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation announced precautionary closures of similar rollercoasters at several of its amusement parks.
The company said it was cooperating with local authorities and conducting safety reviews.
Earlier reports indicated that nine rollercoasters across six parks had been temporarily closed following the incident.
Six Flags also said support was being provided to staff and guests affected by the tragedy.
The closures were described as precautionary measures rather than confirmation that a mechanical fault had been identified.
Police investigation continues
The Cobb County Police Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding Kariem's death.
Authorities have not publicly determined what caused him to fall from the rollercoaster.
It remains unclear whether the incident involved a restraint problem, a mechanical issue or another factor.
Investigators are expected to review available evidence, including witness statements and any relevant recordings.
Until their findings are released, the precise cause of the tragedy remains unknown.
Family remembers a man who overcame so much
For Kariem's loved ones, the tragedy is particularly difficult to process given everything he had survived.
From overcoming cancer to escaping a vehicle fire just weeks earlier, his life had already been marked by extraordinary challenges.
His sister's tribute focused on his generosity, resilience and devotion to his family.
As investigators work to establish what happened at Six Flags Over Georgia, those closest to Kariem are remembering him not simply as the victim of a tragic accident, but as a beloved brother, partner and father figure whose loss has left a lasting void.
