sfnesros Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 (edited) The first video gave me the chills also, and they always do when someone that got hurt for our country had to have this happen too them. When I went too the park on a July 4th day about 4-5 years ago, I was next in line to ride (what was then) S:ROS, and there was a gentleman that only had one arm and was riding the ride.....but what brings me too my point was he rode it a few times before he got denied boarding. Memory is alittle fuzzy but I believe he sat down and the lady check his restraint and before they dispatch the train she told him he needed two arms too ride, which caused him to say he rode it already and he stormed off saying he was gonna sue the park. I know the situation was years ago and not really the same circumstance but I thought I would just mention what I seen that day. Edited July 10, 2011 by sfnesros Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougMJr Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 And let the knee jerk government reaction begin. Now a Massachusetts Congressman in Chiming in about the Accident. A Massachusetts Congressman is speaking out about the incident that took Sgt. James Hackemer life by falling from a roller coaster. Democrat Edward Markey supports a bill he says will close loopholes and bring federal oversight with the consumer product safety commission in to inspect amusement parks. "It is outrageous that despite the increasing speed and force of so-called 'hypercoasters' like the one that claimed Sergeant Hackemer's life, a loophole in current law prevents the Consumer Product Safety Commission from overseeing these fixed site amusement park rides. So while the government's safety watchdog has the authority to ensure baby strollers are safe, it can't oversee the safety of high-speed amusement park rides. Instead, the responsibility falls to state governments that may not have the resources or experience to carry out effective safety checks. This regulatory black hole makes no sense," says Markey. "I have consistently introduced legislation to close this dangerous loophole, but the amusement park ride industry pulls out all the stops to prevent it from moving forward in Congress. While the cause of the accident that claimed the life of Sergeant Hackemer is still unknown, one thing is crystal clear: hypercoasters that hurtle riders at speeds exceeding 70 mph along 200-foot drops should not be exempt from federal safety oversight. I will continue to push for stronger safety standards, including legislation to enable the Consumer Product Safety Commission to investigate rides when accidents occur so that tragedies can be prevented in the future." Right now, the State Labor Department is in charge of inspecting rides like the Ride of Steel Coaster. They inspect rides at amusement parks once a year - usually before they open for the season. And according to the Darien Lake website, the Ride of Steel only has height, weight and body type requirements.... while other roller coasters in the park do require riders to have both legs. Congressman Markey also released a statement to the family of Sgt. James Hackemer. "Sergeant Hackemer was a hero. Following a courageous battle to recover from his wounds suffered during the Iraq War, he was enjoying a summertime activity like many Americans across the country when this tragedy occurred. My condolences go out to his family and friends." Not sure how I feel about this... I'm all for safety, however Ride Of Steel is safe! If this passes I'm not sure if it will have any impact on rider safety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 Markey has been going about this for YEARS. I think one of the reasons it's never passed is because people realize it's stupid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
braztaz Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 Aaaand of course the government has to get involved and over exaggerate everything. The cause of the accident is unknown? I think the fact that he didn't have legs is self-explanatory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 ^For us it may be self explanatory, but for dumb GP who don't know how roller coasters and restraints work they have no clue. I'm also annoyed by the mentioning of the Ferris Wheel accident at Morey's in most of these articles as well. And how that girls parents are suing. Yup, they're demanding seat belts and lap bars on ferris wheels! This country worries me so much sometimes!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chadster Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 Here is a picture of the ride sign I took in 2008 where it clearly states: I have no idea if the ride policy has changed since 2008, but if it hasn't, and this person in fact did not have two legs, why were they let onto the ride? Hmmm, after looking at this picture, looks like someone may have their facts mixed up. But, they did say "according to the Darien Lake website" so I guess they are trying to create drama where it really isn't, shocker. Maybe the media should try looking for posted signs and/or get the official rider safety guidelines from park management before shooting off their mouths...or word programs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
braztaz Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 This country worries me so much sometimes!!!! QFT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukfan339 Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 The first video gave me the chills also, and they always do when someone that got hurt for our country had to have this happen too them. When I went too the park on a July 4th day about 4-5 years ago, I was next in line to ride (what was then) S:ROS, and there was a gentleman that only had one arm and was riding the ride.....but what brings me too my point was he rode it a few times before he got denied boarding. Memory is alittle fuzzy but I believe he sat down and the lady check his restraint and before they dispatch the train she told him he needed two arms too ride, which caused him to say he rode it already and he stormed off saying he was gonna sue the park. I know the situation was years ago and not really the same circumstance but I thought I would just mention what I seen that day. You only need one arm to ride Ride of Steel, as long as you can use the other one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chroniq Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 (edited) Really, what ride op is going to say no to a mother effing iraqi war hero with no legs? I wouldn't be suprised if this was the genesis of the whole incident. Did he wear camo or a uniform to the park Edited due to my lack of eloquent speech. I'm taking a lot of liberties in this theory, but I imagine a guy surrounded by family wearing pro america/veteran shirts. If you were a 17 year old, who was confronted with something like this? Would you dare let him not ride? Edited July 10, 2011 by Chroniq Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginzo Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 Maybe the Fed can keep us safe from roller coasters the same way they kept New Orleans safe from that flood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooksta77 Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 "It makes you feel like you're not tight on the ride. I mean they give you this loose leather stap thing and it feels tight but it's loose." Um a seatbelt?! The same thing that saves lives in cars? Yeah way to strike fear into people when something that unfortunately wasn't made for a handicapped person was the cause of death of a handicapped person. I still think it's sad that he lost his life like this but to get 14 year old girls who can't say anything but dramatic lies is pathetic. Again may he RIP as he was a man who served for our country. -Cookie "Sorry about that mini rant" Iorio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mightbeawannabe Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 Why couldn't people be smart? Is that too much to ask? Does it really take a good thinking through to figure out that a double amputee with no legs fell off of a ride that wasn't designed to restrain him in that condition? Or does everybody listen to stupid little girls who like to be drama queens? These aren't related to the theme park industry specifically....a physics course in high school and a moment of thought is all anybody would ever possibly need to figure it out (this is if they have no common sense)....and there's no excuse for listening to little girls rant and rave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chadster Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 I just looked at the DL website (it was in major overload and took a bit to pull up) and it's all over the place with rider requirements, basically, not much consistency IMO. So to continue my news media rant, if it looks like crap, it must be crap, get the hard copy before your report! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CardCraze Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 Why the hell would you interview a 14 year old girl about a roller coaster? She did a great job of making it sound unsafe, which is what's happening on Darien Lake's FB as well. In time of tragedy, I suppose it's human nature to look for someone/something to blame. And I suppose what better to blame than a roller coaster? Still, it's unfair, and ends up hurting people who recognize that the coaster is safe, as more and more of the GP masses (those guys who make up almost all of a park's profit) start calling for Over the Shoulder Restraints, which they somehow think are safer, and claiming that rides are "unsafe". I just wish people would accept that accidents happen sometimes at amusment parks, and not try to pin the blame on the coaster/ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chroniq Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 (edited) Just to reiterate, I see it as more of a social issue.. Put yourself in the shoes of the ride ops team. It's easy to say no to a child that is an inch short, it's much harder to view a double amputee/ war hero and tell them no.. I mean, honestly, I might have trouble telling him he can't ride even if I knew better. One more fact.. According the Department of Transportation your chances of being killed in your car on the way to the theme park are 130,000 times greater than being killed at the theme park. Edited July 10, 2011 by Chroniq Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mightbeawannabe Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 Personal observation: Are there any mature coaster enthusiasts that have gotten injured because they did not follow the park's, the manufacturer's, and state's rules? Yes, I know it can happen if it was a mechanical failure or something out of their control; It seems things like this only happen to GP...and only GP make a big issue about it. But is there anybody that really gets hurt at their own hand if they follow the rules and regulations? The rate would seem astoundingly low...like 0%... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chadster Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 I will raise my hand and say I severely bruised my right hand on the tunnel of Grizzly at KD last year, hurt for 2 months. The rules said to keep your arms inside the car....but I like air time, shoulda listened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukfan339 Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 Guys, leave the girl alone. Yes what she said was wrong about the ride in general but what she saw had to be dramatic. Think about it....You're riding a roller coaster and all of a sudden you see a man fly off and die. It's something that you will NEVER get over, and hell I would never step foot inside of a roller coaster station again. It's still a trumatic time for those who saw the incident,of course nobody is going to get off and say; "Yeah I just saw a man fly off the ride at 70mph, but it's totally safe." Obviously the ride wasn't safe. Because, someone let him on.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooksta77 Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 ^I understand your logic but you have to think he was a double amputee with a restraint system that holds you in by your legs. If this was an OTSR restraint system he might be safe. I realize a 14 year old girl won't know that but come on how can you trust a girl that doesn't know the name of a seatbelt. -Cookie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougMJr Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 Just quickly read through another article, everything is pretty much consistent with everything discussed here. Save for this. His sister Catie Marks said park attendants did not object to the war veteran climbing on board the ride, which straps in thrill seekers with a lap bar and seat belt, The Associated Press reports. If this is true, then Darien Lake staff totally dropped the ball on this one. I'm not saying that they were completely in the wrong for letting him ride, but when a double amputee is boarding a ride with a lap bar questions should be asked. Full article can be found here: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8271140/war-veteran-thrown-from-rollercoaster-ride-dies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinTheAttendant Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 ^Yahoo said the same thing But Catie Marks, another of Hackemer's sisters, said Luffred told her that park attendants did not challenge the disabled veteran's desire to ride the coaster. "Not one objection," she said. "Not one question." Full Article I'm not going to say anything hindsight-wise because I can only imagine how the attendants are currently feeling, and watching the internet point fingers towards them would not help them anymore than anything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spideyfreak Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 I think the ride ops are totally to blame for this incident. The rules state that riders need TWO LEGS to ride! It is the responsibility of the crew to enforce this. Before they dispatch the train, they are responsible for making sure that the riders are secure. That's why they check restraints! It's really obvious: He had no legs, a lap bar will be able to secure him. As I said before, there is no way in hell I would have dispatched that train with him on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeelTheFORCE Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 This country worries me so much sometimes!!!! QFT! It's a shame because the reactions of people like Markey, the media, those girls, etc. strengthen the notion that the US might never see a Mega-Lite (forget about a lapbar version), or more Intamin pre-fabs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooksta77 Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 ^That statement makes me wanna move to Germany or Asia. Robb and Elissa do a great job illustrating it's a great place with people who can think. -Cookie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cryptcruiser Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 The family is taking it way to well. How come, no one has mentioned posible suicide? That type of restaint only holds your waist, if you're top heavy with no legs, to lock you in, I'd say for sure, you have a real good chance of coming out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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