SeaWorld Slapped With Wild Lawsuit After Guest “Disfigured” by Duck
Visitors expect thrills at Orlando’s biggest theme parks, but one recent ride left a guest with far more than she bargained for. A lawsuit now claims that a popular roller coaster at SeaWorld Orlando posed a danger that went far beyond steep drops and high speeds. The alleged culprit was not a malfunctioning ride or operator error, but a duck.
The Central Florida park, already no stranger to scrutiny over safety and animal welfare, is again facing the spotlight. For years, SeaWorld has competed for attention in a crowded theme park market dominated by Disney and Universal. Its marquee attractions, including Mako — a steel hypercoaster that towers 200 feet above the ground — are designed to deliver a rush. But according to one rider, the experience came with devastating consequences.
A Ride Turns Into a Legal Battle
Hillary R. Martin visited SeaWorld Orlando in March and boarded Mako, a coaster known for reaching speeds of 73 miles per hour. According to her lawsuit, “a duck flew into the path of the roller coaster,” striking her face and knocking her unconscious. She claims the impact caused permanent physical injuries, disfigurement, and ongoing mental pain.
The incident, however, was not included in the quarterly report from Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which tracks accidents requiring hospital stays of 24 hours or longer, such as recent incidents recorded on Universal Orlando Resort’s Stardust Racers and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
Despite its absence, Martin maintains that her injuries were severe enough to warrant long-term consequences.
Martin’s complaint argues that SeaWorld, owned by United Parks & Resorts, failed to maintain its premises in a “reasonably safe condition.” The suit alleges the park created “a zone of danger” for bird strikes by constructing Mako near a large body of water that attracts wildlife. She is seeking more than $50,000 in damages (via Fox 35 Orlando).
SeaWorld responded cautiously, stating: “The safety of [its] guests and employees is a top priority and [it takes] these situations seriously. We will not be commenting beyond that as this is pending litigation.”
Her attorney, John Morgan of Morgan & Morgan, took a stronger tone: “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.”
Bird Strikes and Roller Coasters: A Troubling History
Martin’s case is not the only one involving Mako. In September, another lawsuit alleged a child was hit in the face by an object (not a bird) on the same SeaWorld ride.
Rare though they may be, other theme parks have seen similar accidents in the past.
At Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, a guest was hospitalized after colliding with a bird while riding the now-demolished Kingda Ka coaster.
And in 1999, model Fabio Lanzoni made headlines when a goose struck him during the opening ride of Apollo’s Chariot at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Lanzoni sustained a facial cut, though later reports clarified that the goose hit a camera before injuring him.
Bird encounters have also been reported outside roller coasters. In 2017, a guest at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort allegedly suffered traumatic brain injuries after being hit by a bird near the property’s water features.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve ever experienced at a theme park?
