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It seems like roller coasters are getting bigger and bigger each year, but are they better? I used to be the biggest daredevil. I would go on any ride and not even think about whether or not it was safe. The thrill was worth it to me. I remember going to Kings Island and begging my parents to let me get in line for the King Cobra roller coaster…the roller coaster where you stand up through the whole thing. They thought I was crazy…I couldn’t wait to ride it. Since riding the King Cobra, I’ve heard stories of it jumping the track on several occasions and it getting stuck for hours on end…with people on it. The King Cobra is no longer at Kings Island.
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The website, Theme Park Insider, seems to be a great website to go to for reviews and info about the different theme parks all over the world. I typed in “accidents at Cedar Point” and up came a list of accidents that had one main theme…cars colliding. Can you imagine being on a ride that is traveling upwards of 70mph+ and have it collide with another car? I remember the first time I went to Cedar Point…I was probably 19 and I was in line for a new roller coaster…I believe it was one of the first roller coasters that didn’t use an over head harness (I seem to remember it only holding our hips). At any rate, I remember being terrified. I know the overhead harnesses are not fool proof, but at least I had the comfort of holding on to something (and pulling it down tighter) to hold me in. Needless to say, that was the last time I ever went to an amusement park.
I can honestly say, I don’t know that I would ever set foot in an amusement park again. Not after reading this story about an Army Amputee thrown from a Roller Coaster. Sgt. James Thomas Hackemer was thrown from a 208 foot roller coaster at the Darien Lake Theme Park Resort in New York. Sgt. James Thomas Hackemer was missing all of his left left, part of his right and part of a hip from a tragic roadside bombing, yet theme park ride operators STILL allowed him to ride one of the roller coasters. The ride, Ride of Steel, has the following on their website as to who can ride the coaster:
One of the tallest coasters east of the Mississippi, climbing approximately 208 feet and reaching speeds in excess of 70 mph. Must be 54″ or taller. Guests who are 76″ and above or with certain body proportions may not be able to ride.Please use the test seat outside
the station house line.
I don’t know if this man used the test seat or not, but I am shocked that the ride operators even allowed him on the ride. With the limbs missing, there is a distinct possibility that he doesn’t even meet the 54″ height requirement. And if it has the same type of lap bar construction that the Millennium Force at Cedar Point uses (individual hydraulic T-shaped lap bar and seat belt), then I could see Sgt. James Thomas Hackemer not being secured in enough for this ride. My heart goes out to his family. I can’t imagine losing a loved one in this manner. Right now, Ride of Steel is currently closed at Darien Lake Theme Park Resort until a thorough investigation is completed.
This tragic story and all the others I read on RideAccidents.com are enough to keep me and my family away from amusement parks. Little rides here and there at carnivals I can handle, but these thrill seeking rides designed to be bigger and better than the last one is just too much for me and not worth the risk.
Leave me a comment with your opinion…I’m interested to hear it!
My brother was at Darien Lake when this happened and I nearly had a stroke when I first heard about it – they didn't identify him at first. It's tough to place blame without the whole story. Yes, the workers should know more about the rides and refuse people who would be unsafe. I wonder if it was obvious to the worker that the man was missing his legs – was he wearing prosthetics underneath jeans, for example? I think people are so concerned about offending someone that sometimes they make poor decisions. Amputees probably need to be better educated as well. I assume he wasn't familiar with this ride – it is extremely fast. It was a very unfortunate accident that was completely preventable. That's my favorite roller coaster at the park, but now I won't be able to go on it without thinking about this incident. I feel horrible for his family 🙁
Do you still ride in cars? How about take a shower? Cook in your kitchen? Use stairs? You are much more likely to die or be seriously injured, statistically, than going on any ride in any amusement park. Look it up.
@Jen…the article I read was unsure on whether or not he had prosthetic on or not. I totally agree with what you said about the not wanting to offend.
This story really shook me up when I read it. I couldn't even imagine what his family is going through and all the families that witnessed this accident 🙁
I'll be honest, I'm kinda terrified of amusement parks now that I have kids. It wasn't a big deal when I wasn't a mom, but now I see all the problems and the news articles…
Yikes! We go to Cedar Point all the time and I haven't heard of any of these incidents. It is scary though and something to keep in mind.