Roller Coaster War Vet Dies
Roller Coaster War Vet Dies. US Army sergeant James Hackemer, 29, was ejected from the 60m-tall 'Ride of Steel' at New York state's Darien Lake Theme Park on Friday afternoon local time, according to news reports.
Police said the rollercoaster was travelling at 80km/h when Hackemer fell from the front row.
His sister Catie Marks said park attendants did not object to the war veteran climbing on board the ride, which straps in thrill seekers with a lap bar and seat belt, The Associated Press reports.
The theme park's website says that guests must be at least 137cm tall to climb on board Ride of Steel and people with "certain body proportions" may be prohibited.
The website also tells guests the can try a test seat at the coaster's station house.
Hackemer was reportedly at the theme park with his children and sister, although his children were not with him on the ride at the time of the accident.
The former soldier lost his limbs to a roadside bomb and barely survived, according to reports.
Hackemer was three months into his second Iraq tour in March 2008 when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device.
The attack inflicted several injuries on him, including the loss of both legs, and serious blood loss which led to brain injury and two strokes.
He had been living at his parents' home following years of rehabilitation.
But his sister Jody Hackemer said he was determined to ride every rollercoaster on Friday.
"That minute he was on that ride, he probably felt the happiest and most normal he's felt in three and a half years," she told The Associated Press.
Teams of inspectors are examining the rollercoaster, which has been closed.
"We are all brokenhearted by this tragic accident and will continue our support of both the family and the investigation," the park's general manager Chris Thorpe said in a statement.
