Monday, July 11, 2011

STOP the Killer Roller Coasters!!

First news story of the day I hear is telling me we need FEDERAL Legislation because of theme park ride deaths / injuries. And why this clarion call early on Monday morn you ask? Because a LEGLESS Iraq War Veteran fell out of a roller coaster in NY over the weekend.
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An Iraq war veteran who lost both legs to a roadside bomb in 2008 died Friday after falling out of a roller coaster at a theme park near Buffalo, N.Y., officials told WGRZ-TV.

Army Sgt. James Hackemer, 29, "came out" of the roller coaster, called the Ride of Steel, at the Darien Lake Theme Park about 5:30pm and "passed away," according to park officials.

Officials said an initial investigation showed that restraints fitted in the ride were working properly. A full investigation by police and park safety experts was to continue Saturday.

The ride will remain closed until the New York State Department of Labor determines it fit to reopen.

Genesee County Sheriff Sgt. Greg Walker and a park spokeswoman confirmed that Hackemer was at the park with his children and sister. His children were not with him on the ride at the time of the accident, WKBW-TV reported.

Hackemer reportedly lost both legs and suffered a brain injury when the vehicle he was in hit a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2008.

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The news story I saw said he has had multiple strokes that caused the brain injuries.
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First let me say I thank Sgt Hackemer and his family for his service and their combined sacrifices. But I know enough about physics to understand that a LEGLESS man is top heavy. I also know enough to understand that someone who has had multiple strokes has less ability to hold on, lean, balance, etc.
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I'm am woefully sorry this young hero lost his life. But we do NOT need ANY laws telling us that roller coasters are deadly killers!!!. What we need is people who can see INDIVIDUAL situations that might be dangerous, like this one was. Because a legless and wheelchair bound vet who plays "Murderball" will not be falling out of the roller coaster.
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Schteveo

4 comments:

Spider said...

The loss of a combat vet is a loss to our country and our society. But i'm afraid i have to ask, what was he doing on a roller coaster? Was this some media instigated photo-op? Perhaps, looking for a lawsuit as has become so very common today? Neither i hope. I would prefer to think this was simply an adventurous spirit looking to have some fun. But,...

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/army_vet
_amputee_thrown_from_roller
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Schteveo said...

The deal IS, that he always loved them. His sister said she's sorry he's gone, but glad he was doing something he loved when it happened.

(of course, my initial reaction was, "..he was happy falling to his death?!")

I think it was just wrong place, wrong time, wrong rider, wrong turn...

Spider said...

(of course, my initial reaction was, "..he was happy falling to his death?!")

That's not as off-the-wall as you may think bud, given his circumstances. Think about it. I hope he's finally at peace.

Schteveo said...

I think he could have found a better way to die than that. Truth be known, he could have just screwed himself up WORSE!