Coaster Information:

To ride the thrilling “Superman – Ride of Steel you can either travel to Six Flags America, Darien Lake or to Six Flags New England. Except the ride will be called Bizzaro at Six Flags New England but it’s an exact replica of Superman –ride of steel but with a different name. The Superman – Ride of Steel is a steel out and back roller coaster with two helixes and a few bunny hop hills to end the ride after a transition.

What you wouldn’t want to know about the ride is that there has been a fatal accident in 1999 at Darens Lake. A passenger was slung from the train on one of the final hills. After the traumatic news, the park installed slandered seat belts and imposed further restrictions on rider’s size and weight. What they are trying to say is, no fat slobs allowed. The rollercoaster now has a computer that controls and monitors the restraints so it does not let the train leave the station until all the restraints are low enough.  The old restraints were replaced with new, longer lap bars.  A similar incident resulting in death occurred at Six Flags New England in 2004, caused by the same problems Darien Lake had rectified after the first incident.

Another unlucky guy on Friday, July 8^th, 2011 at approximately 5:30pm died on the Darrien Lake version of the Ride of Steel. James Hackermer fell out of his seat and fell to his death. Witnesses say the rider had no legs. Sgt. Hackermer was a decorated war veteran and only 29 years old at the time of the accident. He lost both of his legs in a roadside bombing in 2008. I have to give the guy some serious respect. Lost his legs and still looking for thrills, unfortunately he did get the thrill of his life. Witnesses stated that he was flung from the seat after the first 208 foot drop on the following turn. They also said that they witnessed park attendants helping him onto the front row seat.  It has not yet been determined if his disability was the main factor of his accident, however it is speculated that this is the case. He was at the park with his family, but they were not with him at the time of the accident. He leaves behind 2 small children and a wife who is also in the military. According to park rules a rider without two fully functioning legs should not have been allowed to ride, meaning Hackemer and ride attendants also ignored the rule, putting Hackemer’s life in danger. State investigators faulted operator error as the cause of the accident and the ride was re-opened on July 22, 2011

The ride has never been among the top ten steel roller coaster awards. I can understand why due to its huge reputations for being dangerous and apparently giving you a real superman experience.

Quick Info:

Current Coaster Name: Superman – Ride of Steel
Current Park Name: Six Flags America, Six Flags New England and Darien Lake
Previous Ride Name(s): N/A
Location: N/A
Status: Operating
Links: http://www.godarienlake.com/ - http://www.sixflags.com/national/
Cost: $12.000.000 US Dollars

Technical Info:

Type: Steel Hyper
Opened: May 15, 1999
Designer: Intamin
Features: 200 feet
Height: 190 feet
Max Drop: 73 mph
Max Speed: 5350 feet
Length: 5350 feet
Acceleration: N/A
Inversions:0
Duration: N/A
Trains: 2
Capacity: N/A

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