A US Army veteran who lost his legs while deployed in Iraq was killed after being thrown from a rollercoaster at a theme park in upstate New York.

The Genesee County sheriff's office said 29-year-old James Hackemer, of Gowanda, was thrown from the Ride of Steel rollercoaster at the Darien Lake Theme Park Resort, between Buffalo and Rochester.

The park's website describes the Ride of Steel as one of the tallest rollercoasters east of the Mississippi River, climbing more than 200 feet and reaching speeds of more than 70mph.

A park spokeswoman said the rollercoaster and surrounding area were closed after the accident and authorities and the park's safety experts were investigating.

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