Coaster Where Vet Died in July Shuts Down Again

Local media outlets report that a chain snapped on the ride.

A western New York amusement park has again shut down a roller coaster from which an amputee Iraq war veteran fell to his death last month.     

Local media outlets report that a chain snapped on the Darien Lake Theme Park & Resort's Ride of Steel Thursday night, stranding 32 riders near the top of one of the roller coaster's hills.     

Park officials say all were able to walk down the side of the track safely. The ride remains closed.     

Army Sgt. James Hackemer was riding the same roller coaster on July 8 when he was lifted from his seat and thrown to the ground. The 29-year-old father of two died of blunt force trauma.     

Investigators blamed operator error for his death.     

Hackemer had lost his legs to a roadside bomb in Iraq.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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