US

Double Amputee Veteran Thrown From Roller Coaster, Dies

DARIEN, N.Y. (AP) — A U.S. Army veteran who lost his legs while deployed in Iraq was thrown from a 200-foot-tall roller coaster at an upstate theme park on Friday and was killed.

Double Amputee Veteran Thrown From Roller Coaster, Dies

James Thomas Hackemer, 29, was ejected from a roller coaster at the Darien Lake Theme Park Resort Friday. Hackerner lost both of his legs serving in Iraq.

James Thomas Hackemer, 29, was ejected from the Ride of Steel roller coaster at the Darien Lake Theme Park Resort, located between Buffalo and Rochester, at about 5:30 p.m., the Genesee County sheriff’s office said.

The park confirmed a guest “came out of the Ride of Steel roller coaster” and said it was “saddened to report that the guest has passed.” It said local authorities and its safety experts were investigating.

The park’s website describes the Ride of Steel as one of the tallest coasters east of the Mississippi River, climbing 208 feet and reaching speeds in excess of 70 mph.

The roller coaster and surrounding area were closed after the man’s death, park spokeswoman Cassandra Okon said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and the family of the guest,” she said.

The death was at least the second in the last couple of months at Northeast amusement parks. In early June, an 11-year-old girl on a class trip to Morey‘s Mariner’s Landing Pier in Wildwood, N.J., fell about 150 feet from near the top of a Ferris wheel and was killed. A state report found the ride’s restraints to be working properly, and investigators haven’t been able to determine how the girl, who was riding alone, got out of the Giant Wheel gondola.

Hackemer, of Gowanda, lost his right leg below his knee and his left leg at his hip because of a roadside bomb while he was deployed in 2008, authorities said. He had been living with his parents.

“It’s going to help a little bit that he was happy,” his mother, Nancy Hackemer, told The Buffalo News. “We shouldn’t have had him for these last three years and four months.”

She said the family had recently returned from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, in Washington, D.C., where her son got “a new set of legs.”

“He was assisted onto the ride,” she said. “He was doing what he wanted to do.”

Comments (65)

1 2
  • rightwingheroes
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 11:52am

    James was my cousin, this is very devastating for our family. Thank you for your prayers. He was the epitome of an American hero

    Report Post »  
  • OhSuzieQ
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 11:36am

    OMG! This is sooo tragic…Words can not express the sadness..

    Report Post » OhSuzieQ  
  • keenwhiz
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 11:25am

    Awful accident…how long before the family sues?

    Report Post » keenwhiz  
    • Diamond Girl
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 6:20pm

      My gratitude goes to this man, may he rest in peace.

      Unfortunately seems to me there are many in this Nanny-State Country of ours that want to control everything, including our choice of what we ride in the parks, you can be sure there will be an ambulance chaser after this one too…if the dems were in complete control there would be investigations all over the place as well.

      Report Post » Diamond Girl  
  • Apple Bite
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:55am

    Just….no words.

    Report Post » Apple Bite  
  • notmeatglennbeckdotcom
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:24am

    Thank you for your service to the country and may you rest in peace. God certainly has a special spot for you.

    Report Post »  
    • YellowFin
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:49am

      Maybe he had his arms raised as many do riding roller coasters.

      Report Post » YellowFin  
  • ashestoashes
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:04am

    This is tragic. He loses his legs in circus with the muslims and comes home to die in one. I sincerely wish that instead of the war abroad, that our soldiers could stay right here in an effort to drive all illegals and Islam from this country. No more mosques, no more of the muslim brotherhood,or any of the 28 muslim affiliations. Gone…..banished. I believe this is the ‘One World Religion” that is eating away at our country. Seriously…what are we doing in muslim countries? Are we going to change islam into a peaceful loving religion. Don’t think so. Their quran tells them to kill all infidels. We are wasting good men and we are spending our way into not even being a nation anymore, all for a religion that hates us and the Jews. I support Israel and I support the “old USA”

    Report Post »  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:29pm

      They are a peaceful religion but we messed with them first[propping up dictators and before that colonizing them and dividing their lands into political divisions that the wet controlled but hurt the people.Zionism too was an unjust impositionin their homelands by europeans.Jihad is war to defend themselves and they rightfully were threatened by our control of the people via proxy brrutal dictators and artificial[ serving our interests] divisions.And we are as violent as we accuse them of being[as a people-we commit murder every day behind closed doors in this country],Our history as a nation is one of bombing one country after another throughout the last century into this century.And prior to nationhood as christians we killed infidels for 2 thousand years .To accuse them of being violent compared to us is a false self serving narrative.Whether in the name of christendom or our current religion -americanism- we are equally violent aand kill civilians any time its deemed in our interests to do so and always have.Lying hypocrrites-pot calling kettle black american hubris.But everyone knows what pompous liers you are.The biggest terrorists on the planet.Everybody knows!

      Report Post »  
    • Momof7
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 11:00pm

      Dear RoseEllen, you are dingy

      Report Post »  
    • N37BU6
      Posted on July 10, 2011 at 12:12pm

      MOMOF7, that’s not much of a response.

      Just sayin’…

      Report Post » N37BU6  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on July 11, 2011 at 9:45am

      Just ignore ‘rose’ – she is a koolaid drinker.
      Anyone with any intelligence would KNOW that the muslims have been fighting and killing Jews and non-muslims for CENTURIES!!!

      LONG BEFORE these United States existed!

      When you drink the koolaid, all you can pass is recycled koolaid. It takes truth and knowledge to speak honestly and intelligently.

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
  • Seabee79
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:01am

    R.I.P. brother.

    Report Post » Seabee79  
  • quicker
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:49am

    Don`t a lot of these type of roller cooaster also have shouder restrainsts.

    Report Post » quicker  
    • stinkybisquit
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:07am

      Depends on the manufacturer, and the type of ride if they have lap and/ or shoulder restraint. This only had lap. It’s horrible that it happened; perhaps the parks (not the government) could change their regulations to say you must be able to create a lap for rides which only have a lap restraint.

      Report Post »  
  • AmeriCat
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:44am

    This Veteran hero’s death NEVER should have happened!!!!!!!!!!!!

    There are height rules which, by law, do not allow ANYONE under a certain height to ride.

    This Veteran fought to preserve our freedoms and laws….and now
    he dies because someone did not abide by that law!
    …and regardless…care enough to protect OUR BEST!
    Our thoughts and prayers for Army Veteran Hackemer and his family…
    including his Army family both near and far away.

    Report Post »  
  • George40
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:37am

    My condolences to the Hackemer Family and thank you for your service.!

    Darien Lake is a great Park and that is a sweet ride.
    In the future they should put people in a harness to restrain them when they have disabilities. Maybe have it in the first couple of seats or last few!

    Report Post »  
  • SFsuper49er
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:28am

    He should have never been aloud on this ride with just a lap bar… Absolutely nuts on the park to allow this. 100% should have known better! You fell like your almost gonna fall out of these things with legs. Absolute negligence on the park.

    Report Post »  
    • ProbIemSoIver
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:40am

      Was probably an EOE, talking on their cell phone while they helped him in. Talking about how they have to go to the Chiropractor to cash in on their car “accident” and also gossiping about how their Food stamps, Unemployment and Disability check hasn’t arrived yet.

      Report Post » ProbIemSoIver  
  • SamIamTwo
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:23am

    Whoa!

    My condolences to the Hackemer Family.

    Report Post » SamIamTwo  
  • SFsuper49er
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:12am

    They should have known this. Your legs are your counter weight that hold you down in these things. Very sad indeed to the family but I do understand him wanting to live life to the fullest.

    Report Post »  
  • Katydidnt
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:09am

    My condolences to his family and thank you for your service. I agree that he should not have gotten on that ride. Trouble is that you have a teenager making a call for the park, and a vet who really wants to ride. I love coasters, but a lot of the newer ones have you come up off of your seat alot. The only thing holding you in is that harnass, his legs would have held him in for sure if he had them. If he was holding on it with his hands it would have been very tough you really fly up fast, if he had his arms up, he probably never had a chance.

    Report Post »  
  • orlandojon
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:06am

    Know your limitations…

    Report Post »  
  • TX VOL
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:05am

    2nd to Frongjumping.

    Condolences to the Hackemer Family.

    Report Post » TX VOL  
  • mrsmileyface
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 8:57am

    Where was the critical thinking on this one. No one from his friends family and even ride operators said that this may not be the brightest idea in the whole world. Im glad he served his country but obviously he needed and missed his commanding officer because of this poor decision.

    Report Post » mrsmileyface  
    • smokie
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 1:00pm

      In 1999, an overweight man was thrown from the rear seat of this ride, for not being restrained properly. This same design roller coaster @ Six Flags New England caused another man’s death due to his inability to be restained properly.
      After this, the ‘t bar’ restraint was changed to keep passengers safer, but the new design centered on holding the passenger at the legs. The man that was killed recently could not have been restained properly in the Ride of Steel. Seatbelts on rides do little, in both the New England case, and this one, the train came back into the station with the belts still fastened.

      Report Post »  
  • sbeejustsaying
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 8:35am

    To the Hackemer Family, I am deeply sorry for your loss.

    Report Post » sbeejustsaying  
  • Sicialian Eyeball
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 8:34am

    Sad story,but as Dirty Harry said- A mans got to know his limitations

    Report Post »  
  • Want our country back
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 8:32am

    What a tragedy. You volunteer to fight for the country that you love, you get severely injured, spend 3 years at Walter Reed and then you die like this. It’s so heartbreaking.

    Report Post » Want our country back  
  • John 3:16
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 8:29am

    Hate to break the news to ya, but we are all gonna die someday from something. People die every day from accicdents, it‘s sad but it’s life.

    Report Post » John 3:16  
    • joyfulmom
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:25am

      And another bad news: Just because you served this country, as good and noble as that is….does not mean you will go to heaven! It is only through the Lord Jesus Christ and His righteousness and His goodness, that anyone will ever see heaven! He is perfect and without sin. We are not! For all have sinned, Just ask the question, Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever said God’s name in vain? Look at the 10 commandments and you’ll see you have broken all of them. Even if you look upon a woman with lust in your heart it is as though you have committed adultery. Have you ever looked? Everyone has! Before a Just and Holy God, we are all guilty and deserve hell…for there is none righteous no not one, there is none good, no not one, (Rom.3). That is why we need Jesus and His righteousness, right standing with God, imputed to us! Repent and turn from your sins to the Saviour, Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins. It is the only way to heaven, there is no other way. It is a “narrow” gate and few find it. Fall on your knees, cry out to God in prayer for mercy. You cannot save yourself, it is a gift from God. All will die and then the judgment. This life is a vapor, a steam off your coffee cup and then it’s gone, then you enter eternity. Heaven or hell? Surrender your life to the Lord Jesus…seek Him and you’ll find Him, call upon Him…Repent or you too will perish.

      Report Post »  
    • Now this is Art
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:55am

      gee 3:16….SO freekin compassionate. is that what you’d say to his family? think about changing your ID – you dont appear very Christian…

      Report Post » Now this is Art  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 8:27am

    What a lousy way for a hero to die. R.I.P. soldier.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • cavalla
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 8:55am

      passed doing what he wanted to do.

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:03am

      He wanted to fall off a rollercoaster? I doubt it.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • ExpertShot
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 8:25am

    Thank you & your family for your service to our country. God bless you & be with your family during this time of sadness & devastation – A fellow Gold Star family member.

    Report Post » ExpertShot  
  • AmericanWomanFirst
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 8:20am

    So sorry for the family and friends…..

    Report Post » AmericanWomanFirst  
  • jb.kibs
    Posted on July 9, 2011 at 8:16am

    sheesh, because of the rides restraints? They didn’t really say…

    Report Post »  
    • ----->♥ SHTFNEWS.COM ♥<-----
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 8:21am

      This is terrible, Went through all that crap to die on a ride.

      ————————————————————————————
      http://www.shtfnews.com/chimp-shows-chump-shoot-ak-47-monkey-shoots-gun-video/

      Report Post » -----&gt;♥ SHTFNEWS.COM ♥&lt;-----  
    • Aaron in Polk County
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 8:25am

      Darwin Award Nominee!

      What did they expect to happen? Why would they even let him on the ride?

      Lap belts only work if you have legs! Idiots.

      You need all four limbs to ride this ride.

      Report Post » Aaron in Polk County  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 8:37am

      Lord Above us all, one more who gave so much for our freedom is now home with your loving care until all are one again; comfort and care for his family and let their troubles and grief ease and be soon to pass so that the loving memories of him, and of his life may continue to influence others as the ripples of a pond that moves across the surface to interact with others.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • arx
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 8:43am

      Damn that’s just tragic. Even more so because it was entirely preventable. Those rides are designed so that the upper thighs and hips restrain most of the Gs against the bar. Without legs, it is completely understandable what happened. Ride operator should have never let him on.

      My prayers for him and his family.

      Report Post » arx  
    • frongjumping
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 8:46am

      Was this just a freak accident, or was it not safe for him to be on the ride for some reason? Either way, it’s a damn shame and a sad way to go for someone who gave everything he had for this country. Thank you for your sacrifice, soldier, and my condolences to his family.

      Report Post »  
    • MidWestMom
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:16am

      “She said the family had recently returned from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, in Washington, D.C., where her son got “a new set of legs.”

      “He was assisted onto the ride,” she said. “He was doing what he wanted to do.”
      ——————————————————————————————————————————
      Confused. Was he wearing prosthesis legs and just needed some help getting on the ride or was he not wearing prosthesis??

      Either way, my prayers & sympathy to his loved ones. Thank you for your service sir.

      Report Post »  
    • thegrassroots
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:46am

      My heart goes out to this American Hero’s Family and Friends! James’ determination to live his life to the fullest, in spite of it all, mark him as a brave and courageous young man. May Almighty God hold James’ family and friends close to His Heart and fill them with His Peace and His Strength ……. In Jesus’ Name!

      Report Post »  
    • Now this is Art
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 9:52am

      so very sad. we love you our brother, rest in peace and thank you for fighting for our freedom.

      Report Post » Now this is Art  
    • drattastic
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 11:15am

      It’s a damn shame ,survive the war and die on a roller coaster. RIP James Thomas Hackemer.

      Report Post » drattastic  
    • dr_funk
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 12:00pm

      My guess is that the ride used a tight-fitting lap bar. I’ve been on some coasters with a similar design, and if they don’t invert, then they generally utilize a tight-fitting wraparound lap restraint that pins you into your seat. It works on the principle that, if you’re pinned into your seat, the lap restraint puts pressure on your thighs to hold you down, and it also wraps around against your hips to keep you from sliding from side to side.

      No doubt the ride operators were just trying to get him on the ride and get it moving. I would guess that the park has also told its employees not to “discriminate” against disabled people. Some poor teenage employee ended up naively sending this guy to his death.

      Report Post »  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 12:02pm

      James Thomas Hackemer, Thank you for your Service and sacrifice to Our Great Country.

      Report Post » banjarmon  
    • Chet Hempstead
      Posted on July 9, 2011 at 3:03pm

      I found some pictures of it, and this is a sitting coaster with a lap bar and low cars in which your legs are positioned forwards to maintain a low center of gravity.. The ride operators probably should have questioned him about his condition, but it may not have been obvious from his appearance when fully dressed that he was legless rather than merely limping. I’m afraid we have to blame this mostly on poor judgment on the part of Mr. Hackemer and his family. There are plenty of parks that have coasters almost as big and fast with upper body restraints that would have allowed him to ride safely, though people in his condition should probably also avoid standing coasters without lower body support as these might pose a danger to passersby who could be hit by their legs when they come flying off,,

      Report Post »  
1 2

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love