By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-10-16 23:11:23 | Updated at 2026-10-16 23:41:23
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A Georgia Six Flags had to change the name of its annual Halloween event — “Dr. Fright’s Dead Man’s Party” — after a beloved educator fell to his death from a roller coaster at the theme park.
The spooky attraction’s name has been sanitized to “Dr. Fright’s Party” out of respect for the family of Hassan Kariem, a 42-year-old from the Alanta area who died at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday, the park told USA Today.
The amusement park shuttered for four days following the tragedy before reopening Friday.
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, is seen in an undated Facebook photo. Kariem was identified as the rider who fell to his death from a roller coaster the day before at Six Flags Over Georgia. Facebook/Hassan KariemThe roller coaster from which Hassan fell — the Goliath — remains padlocked.
“We were deeply saddened by the recent incident at the park,” said Six Flags Over Georgia president Richard Pretlow in a statement.
“We also continue to keep the guests and team members affected by this tragic event in our thoughts,” the statement continued.
Pretlow insisted that all park rides undergo rigorous daily, weekly, monthly and annual safety checks.
In this aerial view, the train of the Goliath roller coaster is seen on the track where it was evacuated at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, Georgia, Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Getty ImagesIn the wake of the horror, sister coasters at Six Flags Great America in Illinois, Magic Mountain in Los Angeles, Great Adventure in New Jersey, Canada’s Wonderland in Ontario, Carowinds in North Carolina and Kings Island in Ohio have all been grounded.
The fatal fall marks at least the eighth death at Six Flags Over Georgia since 1967, with three tied directly to the park’s coasters, according to USA Today.
Tragedy previously struck in 1989 when an 11-year-old child died riding the park’s Z-Force coaster.
Six Flags Over Georgia and Bolliger and Mabillard — the manufacturer of the Goliath roller coaster — did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
