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Sgt. Hackemer receives full military honors

Sgt. James Hackemer
Photo Courtesy Facebook.com
Sgt. James Hackemer

By Eileen Buckley

Buffalo, NY – An Iraq war veteran who fell to his death from a roller coaster ride at Darien Lake Theme Park was laid to rest with full military honors Monday.

29-year-old Sgt. James Hackemer was a double-amputee. He was killed last month after he flew out of his seat from the Ride of Steel at Darien Lake.

Monday Hackemer was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. About 150 family members and friends attended the military funeral fro Hackemer. A flag was presented to Haackemer's parents, John and Nancy Hackemer of Gowanda.

Governor Andrew Cuomo's office says New York state is finalizing an online database that will give users access to amusement park inspection reports. The state Labor Department is expected to launch the site in the coming days.

A department of Labor's investigation found his death was the result of "operator error".