Disabled war hero falls to death from roller coaster

Updated on: 11 July,2011 07:48 AM IST |
Agencies |

Double amputee was thrown off the Ride of Steel in New York

Double amputee was thrown off the Ride of Steel in New York

A disabled war veteran fell to his death from a 208-foot-tall rollercoaster late on Friday afternoon, tragically ending his miraculous return to normal post-war life.

James Hackemeru00a0rode the Ride of Steel, which reaches speeds of more than 112 km per hour

US Army Sergeant James Hackemer (29), a double amputee, fell from the Ride of Steel rollercoaster at the Darien Lake Theme Park & Resort about 50 km east of Buffalo on Friday, according to park officials.

Hackemer lost his legs and a hip when a roadside bomb exploded when he was serving in Iraq in 2008.

He suffered two strokes, blood loss, and brain damage in the attack and then spent three years in rehabilitation, during which he re-learned how to eat and speak.

He was released in March and lived in Gowanda, New York.

"We are all brokenhearted by this tragic accident and will continue our support of both the family and the investigation," said Darien Lake Theme Park Resort General Manager Chris Thorpe in a statement.

Hackemer's mother, Nancy, said her son had been helped on to the ride by other people and was "doing what he wanted to do."

"I want to live my life to the fullest from here on out," Hackemer told local news media after his rehabilitation.
Hackemer rode the Ride of Steel, which reaches speeds of more than 112 km per hour.

"Guests... with certain body proportions may not be able to ride," says the ride information on Darien Lake's website.

June 14, 1986
Three people were killed on the Mind Bender roller coaster in Alberta, Canada. On the last train car a wheel sheared off and smashed into a concrete pillar. It is considered the worst roller coaster accident in history.

Injured in Iraq
Hackemer was three months into his second Iraq tour in March 2008 when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. He lost both his legs in the attack and serious blood loss led to brain injury and two strokes.