Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Amputee Vet Killed in Coaster Accident

James Hackemer was thrown from ride

By John Johnson, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 9, 2011 4:58 PM CDT

(Newser) – Rough story from the Darien Lake amusement park in upstate New York: A 29-year-old man who lost both legs in the Iraqi war is dead after falling out of a 200-foot-high roller coaster. James Hackemer lost his limbs to a roadside bomb in 2008 and just barely survived. "We shouldn't have had him for these last three years and four months," his mother tells the Buffalo News. "After he was hit by the IED, he died once in the field and once on the operating table."

Hackemer went to the park yesterday with family and friends, including his two young daughters. "He was assisted onto the ride," says his mother. "He was doing what he wanted to do." Details of what happened are still unclear. The park's statement: "An adult male guest came out of the Ride of Steel roller coaster, and we are saddened to report that the guest has passed. We are currently investigating the situation with our safety experts and local authorities."

April 8 file photo: Sgt. James Hackemer does physical therapy with the help of friend Matt Mescall in Gowanda, N.Y. (AP Photo/Buffalo News, Derek Gee)

A 2008 image of James Hackemer taken from video on WIVB.com. (AP Photo/WIVB.COM)

The Ride of Steel roller coaster is shown at the entrance to Darien Lake Theme Park Resort in Darien, N.Y., Saturday. (AP Photo/David Duprey)

The Ride of Steel roller coaster is shown at Darien Lake Theme Park Resort in Darien, N.Y., Saturday. (AP Photo/David Duprey)

A file photo of the Ride of Steel coaster at Darien Lake. (AP Photo /Buffalo News, Robert Kirkham)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

CLICK BELOW TO VOTE

78%

10%

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Park Won't Face Charges in Amputee's Coaster Death

Darien Lake violated its own policy

(AP) - A double-amputee Iraq War veteran who was hurled off a towering roller coaster to his death never should have been allowed on the ride, but the New York park's operators will face no criminal charges despite violating their own policy, authorities said today. Signs at the Ride of Steel roller coaster at Darien Lake clearly state riders "must have two legs," the county sheriff said. "He didn't have the physical attributes to hold him in." More»

Friend of Amputee: 'He Went Out With a Smile'

Funeral takes place for Iraqi vet killed on coaster

(AP) - With his iron will to make the most of life without legs, James Hackemer would set off turkey-hunting in an all-terrain wheelchair or toil for hours atop a lawn tractor at the 40-acre family farm in southwestern New York. "He had a thirst for life and wanted to do as much as possible," said a sister of Hackemer, the Iraqi vet who was ejected from the Ride of Steel coaster at Darien Lake theme park last week and killed. His funeral was held today. More»

Just 1 in 3 Vets Say Iraq, Afghanistan Wars 'Worth It'

Another 1 in 3 disagree: Pew Research Center poll

(NEWSER) - Friday marks the 10th anniversary of the US invasion of Afghanistan; with an eye on the decade-long effort, the Pew Research Center asks veterans: Were the Afghanistan and Iraq wars worth it? Just 34% of post-Sept. 11 veterans say yes, while another 33% say no (Afghanistan is considered slightly more worthwhile than Iraq, according to the poll). Even so, 96% say they are "proud" of their military service, and 82% say they would advise young people to enlist, Politico reports. More»

Breathing Trouble Dogs Middle East Vets

New study increases concern over respiratory issues

(NEWSER) - Why do so many young, previously healthy soldiers come back from the Middle East with respiratory problems, some so bad they can no longer pass a physical required for active duty? The question was made more urgent with the results of a new study showing that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans do indeed have a higher rate of respiratory illness than soldiers deployed in other areas. The study, thought to be the largest of its kind, shows that 14.5% of Iraq or Afghanistan veterans had respiratory illness, compared to just 1.8% of veterans deployed elsewhere, the Wall Street Journal reports. More»

For Returning Troops, an Even Worse Job Reality

They're grappling with 10% employment; non-vets at 9.1%

(NEWSER) - The job market is obviously bleak—but it's even worse when it comes to troops returning from war. The Washington Post takes a look at the 2 million veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, who spent as much as 10 years, on and off, in desolate war zones, racking up skills that have little value at home. The result, according to federal data, is that they're having an even tougher time finding jobs: Last month, recent veterans had a 10% unemployment rate, compared to 9.1% for non-vets. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Amputee Vet Killed in Coaster Accident

James Hackemer was thrown from ride

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

amusement parks • amputees • Iraq veterans • Iraq war • roller coasters • James Hackemer

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Park Won't Face Charges in Amputee's Coaster Death

Darien Lake violated its own policy

Friend of Amputee: 'He Went Out With a Smile'

Funeral takes place for Iraqi vet killed on coaster

Just 1 in 3 Vets Say Iraq, Afghanistan Wars 'Worth It'

Another 1 in 3 disagree: Pew Research Center poll

Breathing Trouble Dogs Middle East Vets

New study increases concern over respiratory issues

For Returning Troops, an Even Worse Job Reality

They're grappling with 10% employment; non-vets at 9.1%

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?