Man Who Fell and Died as He Sat Next to Son on Six Flags Roller Coaster Identified as ‘Cherished’ Educator

“We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today,” said a representative for Six Flags Over Georgia following Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem’s death

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem. Credit :Hassan Jihad Kariem/Facebook

A man who fell and died from a roller coaster at a Six Flags in Georgia has been identified as a 42-year-old educator.

On Tuesday, Oct. 13, officials announced that Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem was the victim who was killed at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell one day earlier, the Cobb County Police Department said in an update shared with PEOPLE.

The tragedy occurred on the afternoon of Monday, Oct. 12, when Kariem “was ejected from the ride and struck other patrons before falling beneath the attraction,” a preliminary investigation revealed. When officers arrived, they found the 42-year-old man beneath the roller coaster. He was unresponsive and not breathing, officials said.

In a short interview with WXIA, the man’s relatives said he loved his work as an educator.

Kariem, who hailed from Atlanta, was an IT manager at Wesley International Academy, a representative for Atlanta Public Schools (APS) confirmed to PEOPLE. According to his LinkedIn, he previously worked as an IT specialist and technology teacher at the school.

“Atlanta Public Schools extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Mr. Kariem,” the district said in a statement shared with PEOPLE.

“He was a cherished member of the Wesley International Academy and APS families whose presence and impact will be deeply missed by our students, staff, and all those whose lives he touched,” APS continued. “Our thoughts are with everyone mourning his loss during this difficult time.”

The Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, Ga.Christopher Oquendo/ZUMA Press Wire/Alamy

One witness told NBC affiliate WXIA that Kariem’s son was sitting next to him on the Goliath roller coaster when the incident occurred.

The woman also claimed the victim’s wife and daughter were not on the ride “and had no idea” what had happened, while his son “watched it all” unfold.

“He’s in our Goliath pictures, the pictures they take that you can keep,” she told the station.

The hypercoaster reaches a height of 200 feet and speeds of up to 70 miles per hour, according to the Six Flags Over Georgia website.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, a spokesperson for Six Flags Over Georgia expressed its sympathies.

“We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today,” the representative said. “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 spokesperson added that the park’s team and local authorities responded immediately and that the park is fully cooperating with investigators.

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Kariem’s family has been notified. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death is ongoing, police said. (His family did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.)

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Cobb County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit at (770) 499-3945.