Questions surround Ride of Steel mishap

DARIEN, N.Y. (WIVB) - There are plenty of questions after another mishap on Darien Lake’s Ride of Steel. The malfunction came just a month after the accident that ended the life of an Army veteran.

The Ride of Steel is still closed Friday. The car is still stuck on the middle of the roller coaster, that happened after the chain that pulls it up the hill broke. All 32 people on the ride got off safely, but the timing of this couldn't be worse for Darien Lake.

Just last month, Sergeant James Hackemer was on the same roller coaster when he fell out and died. There was no mechanical failure then, but last August the chain on the same ride also broke.

News 4 spoke with a mom who is happy the ride is closed, Friday.  Tracey Fountain of Pencil, NY, said, "Well I was sad to hear the veteran who got killed a month ago, that was sad. So we've talked about that for a couple weeks in our household and we live five hours away and anticipating coming to Darien Lake, that was what was on my mind because my kids love the roller coasters. So, it was pretty sad to hear. And then this morning in our hotel, listening to the news and then hearing that now that ride is shut down, I'm kind of relieved in a way."

Darien Lake officials say they aren't sure how long the ride will be closed and they aren't sure what exactly caused the problem.

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