Double Amputee Had no Business on Roller Coaster

Iraq war veteran Sgt. James Hackemer tragically died Friday after falling from a 20-story roller coaster in Upstate New York, dubbed one of the tallest east of the Mississipi River.

Hackemer should never have been allowed to ride.

The roller coaster, called "Ride of Steel," is located at Darien Lake Theme Park, outside Buffalo. The ride boasts large hills, banked curves and speeds exceeding 70 mph. Hackemer's nephew, Ashton Luffred, who rode with him, said Hackemer was told by park authorities he could ride all of the rides. The Darien Lake Web site warns guests who are "76 inches and above or with certain body proportions may not be able to ride."

I guess this doesn't include double amputees. 

Hackemer, a 29-year old father of two, lost his legs when an IED blew apart his Humvee on his last deployment to Iraq three years ago. "I want to live my life to the fullest from here on out," Hackemer told local news media after his rehabilitation. According to family members, riding the Ride of Steel was on his list of things he wanted to do for some time. 

Lap bars were installed on the ride after a near-fatal accident occurred in 1999 when a passenger was thrown from the train on one of the final hills. This was almost exactly where Hackemer was thrown off. 

Investigators are still trying to determine how the incident occurred. Witnesses said Hackemer literally came out of his seat and into the air before landing on the rails.

Oversight of permanent amusement park rides is left to local and state authorities. Efforts are being made to introduce legislation providing Federal authority under the auspices of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Amazingly, owners of the amusement parks and industry lobbyists oppose such legislation.

"Safety is the number one priority of the amusement park industry, but tragic events are extremely rare and would not be less frequent under federal oversight," said Colleen Mangone, a spokeswoman for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

Really? I guess to her extremely rare evidently means the estimated 685 serious injuries at fixed-site amusement parks requiring at least 24 hours of hospital treatment between 2003 and 2009, according to the National Safety Council.

Anyone who has been to an amusement park knows who really runs the rides. You typically see high school summer hires manning the turnstiles, waving people through like cattle to keep the long line moving. Other kids hastily check safety devices to ensure they are locked and in position. Is this the point where the fatal mistake occurred?

The Ride of Steel remains closed for now. A man who nearly gave his life serving his country is now dead because someone stupidly decided a two-foot long lap bar on the thrill ride featuring the large hills, banked curves, and speeds exceeding 70 mph was enough to hold Hackemer in his seat.

This is not how Sgt. James Hackemer should be remembered.