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Credit: SeaWorldA woman has filed a lawsuit after being knocked out by a rogue duck at SeaWorld Orlando.
Statistically, roller coasters are extremely safe, with only a handful of non-medical issue-related incidents recorded every year. But that doesn’t mean incidents can’t or don’t happen, as a recent lawsuit filed against the controversial Central Florida theme park proves.
Hillary R. Martin was visiting SeaWorld Orlando in March when she decided to ride Mako, a roller coaster that reaches speeds up to 73 mph and stands up to 200 feet tall. While riding the attraction, a “duck flew into the path of the roller coaster,” striking Martin’s face and knocking her unconscious.
Notably, the incident wasn’t recorded in the first quarter’s report from Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which keeps track of theme park incidents that result in hospitalizations for 24 hours or longer. Despite this, Martin insists that the injury was severe enough to cause permanent physical injuries, disfigurement, and mental pain and suffering.
Martin’s legal complaint focuses on the fact that SeaWorld Orlando – owned and operated by United Parks & Resorts – failed to keep its premises in a “reasonably safe condition,” and that it didn’t warn guests hoping to ride Mako or any other thrill attractions about dangerous conditions (including potential rogue ducks).
Her complaint also highlights the fact that SeaWorld allegedly created “a zone of danger” for bird strikes by positioning Mako near a body of water, which could disorient nearby birds and increase the risk of similar incidents (via Fox 35 Orlando).
Martin is seeking more than $50,000 in damages.
SeaWorld has responded to the incident by insisting that “the safety of [its] guests and employees is a top priority and [it takes] these situations seriously.” It also noted, “We will not be commenting beyond that as this is pending litigation.”
John Morgan, of Morgan & Morgan – which is representing Martin – said: “SeaWorld knew or should have known of this dangerous condition, as this was not the first reported bird collision to occur on one of their roller coasters this year. SeaWorld allegedly dangerously positioned a high-speed coaster over a man-made lake teeming with birds. We’re here to get justice for our client and ensure this allegedly dangerous design is fixed, permanently.”
Similar Roller Coaster Lawsuits and Incidents
This isn’t the first lawsuit of its kind for Mako.
In September, a separate lawsuit alleged that a child was hit in the face by an object while riding Mako in the same month as Martin.
Other guests have also reported being struck by birds on other theme park attractions in the past.
While Kingda Ka was still standing at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, a young guest was hospitalized after being struck by a bird mid-ride.
Meanwhile, in 1999, model Fabio Lanzoni was hit by a 10-pound goose during the first ride of Apollo’s Chariot at Busch Gardens Williamsburg (now also owned by United Parks & Resorts). Lanzoni was treated in hospital for minor cut, but the goose – who was later concluded to have not directly hit Lanzoni in the face, but rather hit a camera, which then cut Lanzoni – died on impact.
Beyond roller coasters, a guest was allegedly left with traumatic brain injuries after a bird struck her in the head in 2017 at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
Have you ever had an unusual experience at a theme park?