Iraq War Veteran Dies after falling off Ride of Steel at Darien Lake

DARIEN, N.Y. (WIVB) – A trip to an amusement park ended in tragedy for a decorated veteran Friday night.

News 4’s George Richet says there are very few stories he knows he will never forget. One of those stories is that of Sgt. James Hackemer, the Gowanda High School graduate who lost his legs in the war in Iraq three years ago. He died twice on the battlefield that day when his heart stopped. He believes he saw heaven and hell. He returned home with a new sense of faith, a new sense of courage, learning to live with new legs.

Friday night, Sgt. James Hackemer brought his courage to Darien Lake, got on the biggest roller coaster in western New York, and during the ride, fell off to his death.

Iraq war veteran dies after falling off Ride of Steel at Darien Lake: wivb.com