Roller Coaster Rider Struck by Duck, Suffers Permanent Injury

On March 2025, Hillary Martin, a resident of Orange County, Florida, was riding the "Mako" roller coaster at SeaWorld when a duck suddenly flew into the ride's path and struck her in the face, knocking her unconscious. The incident has led to permanent injury, expensive hospital treatments, an inability to enjoy a normal life, disfigurement, loss of wages, and other negative consequences, according to the lawsuit filed on October 29, 2025.

Martin believes SeaWorld created a "zone of danger" around the ride by placing it near a body of water where ducks, gulls, geese, and other waterfowl are likely to be found, increasing the risk of bird strikes. She is now seeking a jury trial and at least $50,000 in damages, claiming the theme park failed to maintain safety on its premises and warn about potential dangers related to the location of the roller coaster.

The "Mako" roller coaster, which opened in 2016, is located next to SeaWorld's lake and is Orlando's largest and fastest roller coaster, reaching speeds up to 73 mph. Martin's attorneys argue that the high speed of the ride makes a collision with a flying bird a "high-impact event" and that the coaster is designed in a way that can disorient waterfowl, further increasing the risk of collision.