Quack attack: Rollercoaster rider hit by duck mid-ride demands $50,000 for trauma and bills
A woman is taking Sea World Orlando to court after being hit in the face by a duck that flew in front of the rollercoaster she was riding at the theme park.
Sea World Orlanda has been slapped with a lawsuit by a woman who had a freak accident on one of the theme park’s rollercoasters in March. While on the Mako coaster, the park’s tallest and fastest ride which reaches speeds of 73 mph, a duck flew into the path of the roller coaster and collided with the woman, striking her in the face.
The woman was knocked unconscious and suffered permanent bodily injury as well as mental anguish according to the suit filed by Morgan & Morgan. She is demanding $50,000 in damages for her pain and suffering along with covering her hospital expenses.
Lawsuit claims Sea World Orlanda was negligent
The lawsuit accuses Sea World of being negligent, failing to maintain its premises in a reasonably safe condition. It also claims the theme park did not warn of any dangerous conditions about which it knew or should have known.
“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,” Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan said in a statement shared with USA TODAY.
“SeaWorld allegedly dangerously positioned a high-speed coaster over a man-made lake teeming with birds,” the statement continued. “We’re here to get justice for our client and ensure this allegedly dangerous design is fixed, permanently.”
Local media outlet WLOX reports that there is no record of the incident in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The agency requires that theme parks report any injuries on their attractions.
The most famous bird strike on a rollercoaster rider
Bird strikes on rollercoasters are exceedingly rare but one made international headlines over 25 years ago. 90s pop culture heartthrob Fabio Lanzoni was hit in the face by a migrating 12-pound Canadian goose while riding the Apollo’s Chariot rollercoaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
He told People Magazine last year that at the time everyone thought it was an April Fool’s Day joke as it happened the day before. “It was not funny. It was no joke,” he said in the interview.
“I tell you, it was a miracle… because of that day, I began living life to its fullest," he added. “I could have died. I could have lost my vision. But I only got a cut.”
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.