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Rider falls off roller coaster and dies at Darien Lake Theme Park

By Billie Owens

A patron, believed to be a male, fell off the Ride of Steel roller coaster (also known as Superman) this afternoon and died at Darien Lake Theme Park, according to Genesee County Sheriff Gary Maha.

No other information is available at this time.

UPDATE (8:20 p.m.): According to a park spokesperson, the victim is an adult male. The accident happened at about 5:30 p.m. The ride and surrounding area are closed while the incident is under investigation.

Jeff Waterman

It's too early to speculate what happened to this person: negligence on the part of the Park, defective equipment, or something the rider did. But one of the reasons I will never, ever -- even if you gave me free tickets, or paid me hundreds of dollars -- go to this place again, is the idiots that go there. The one ride I ever took on the Superman had to be stopped three times because some jackass was acting up and not following the rules. That's just one reason.....

Jul 8, 2011, 7:45pm Permalink
Jeff Waterman

I hate to have implied it was the riders fault -- early reports are the rider had no legs? I do feel sorry for him and his family. My opinions of the Park remain unchanged.

Jul 8, 2011, 8:20pm Permalink
Kim Grant

Jeff, I just want to point out that the reason why they stopped three times was for the safety of the other riders. You probably know this and also know that you can't stop an idiot from being an idiot. I don't know the other circumstances of your dislike but I just wanted to point out that they make things as safe as possible and are always making modifications to keep up with safety issues.

Jul 8, 2011, 8:38pm Permalink
Bea McManis

Kim, I'm not speculating on whether the ride was safe or unsafe.
Regardless of who is at fault, my prayers go out to the family and to those who witnessed this tragedy.

Jul 8, 2011, 8:44pm Permalink
Amy Platten

It is hard to say if it was a malfunction of the ride, negligence on the part of the park, or something that the rider did. I just hope that people who do go to Darien Lake and ride on this roller coaster learn something from this incident. If they don't, what will it take for them to?

Jul 8, 2011, 8:53pm Permalink
Jeff Waterman

Right, and as idiots will be idiots, I will never again subject myself to the idiots that go there, that work there, or manage or own the joint.

Jul 8, 2011, 8:53pm Permalink
Kim Grant

Hey Carol! I'm not calling the poor guy an idiot! I am going by what Jeff said and his experience with the so called idiots he had to ride with. Don't put words into my mouth. And to Amy, I know for a FACT that it was not a ride malfunction.

Jul 8, 2011, 9:54pm Permalink
Jeff Waterman

Carol, read the rest of the posts. I made no judgement about the specific individual that passed. But if his passing was due to negligence of a place I refuse to go to again because of previous bad experiences, then let his family consider that.

Jul 8, 2011, 9:56pm Permalink
robin neyman

Let's just all remember, this is a horrible tragedy . My thoughts and prayers go out to this persons family. This family is going through a lot of pain right now. Again my prayers go out to this family. Robin neyman

Jul 8, 2011, 10:07pm Permalink

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