Family of amputee tossed from roller coaster files wrongful death suit

Hackemer family files wrongful death suit
Probe results prompt change in position
By Matt Gryta and Dan Herbeck
NEWS STAFF REPORTERS

Updated: July 30, 2011, 9:28 AM

The family of a decorated Iraq War veteran who died after flying out of a roller coaster at the Darien Lake amusement park has decided to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

The family of James T. Hackemer, who was allowed to board the Ride of Steel coaster on July 8 despite having no legs, launched the State Supreme Court lawsuit on Friday against two companies associated with the park.

Hackemer, 29, of Gowanda, lost both legs and a hip in 2008 after a roadside bombing in Iraq, where he served as a sergeant in the Army.

He died after he was ejected from the 208-foot-high roller coaster during a family outing at Darien Lake.

According to family attorney Denis J. Bastible, park employees violated Darien Lake’s own safety rules when they allowed the double amputee to ride the coaster.

“They didn’t train their employees to follow the rules and the result was tragic,” Bastible told The Buffalo News. “[Hackemer] leaves two very young children behind, and his family is doing terribly.”
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Hackemer family files wrongful death suit