Chain snaps on Ride of Steel

DARIEN, N.Y. (WIVB) - A scary scene at Darien Lake where riders aboard the Ride of Steel had a heart-stopping moment, Thursday night.

Due to mechanical failure, the Ride of Steel roller coaster has been closed until further notice, just like it was nearly a month ago when the same roller coaster claimed the life of a western New York war veteran .

Darien Lake's Ride of Steel gave nearly three dozen passengers quite the scare. A park spokesperson says that chain snapped while the cars were halfway up the track and the ride stopped like it was supposed to, letting the passengers walk down safely.

  >>  A similar incident happened last August on the Ride of Steel

The ride is closed until further notice, just like it was early last month when double amputee Sergeant James Hackemer was thrown from the coaster and killed. Nothing mechanical went wrong then, but investigators said Hackemer never should have been let on board because of his disability.

"Our employees were trained and certified on these ride restrictions, yet for reasons we'll never fully understand, Sgt Hackemer was on the coaster that day,” said Christopher Thorpe, of Darien Lake Theme Park, on July 22nd.

News 4's George Richert has covered Sergeant Hackemer's long journey home from war since the beginning, and he will be heading to Arlington National Cemetery to cover his burial. You'll see his reports Monday.

If you have a picture or video of Thursday's incident, Report It!