Woman Sues SeaWorld After Duck Allegedly Hit Her in the Face on Roller Coaster Ride
ORLANDO, Fla. — A Florida woman has filed a lawsuit against SeaWorld Orlando, claiming she suffered lasting injuries after a duck flew into her face while she was riding one of the park’s most popular roller coasters.
According to a complaint filed in Orange County Circuit Court this week and obtained by WKMG News 6, Hillary Martin said the bizarre accident happened in March 2025 while she was on the Mako roller coaster, a high-speed steel coaster that reaches 200 feet tall and 73 mph.
Duck Allegedly Struck Woman Mid-Ride
Martin alleges that during the ride, a duck suddenly flew into the coaster’s path and struck her directly in the face, knocking her unconscious.
The impact, she said, caused permanent injuries, led to hospitalization, and left her with ongoing mental suffering and trauma.
“She suffered permanent injury, incurred hospital expenses, and continues to endure mental anguish,” the lawsuit states.
Lawsuit Accuses SeaWorld of Negligence
In the filing, Martin — represented by Morgan & Morgan, one of the country’s largest personal injury law firms — accuses SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment of negligence for allegedly failing to maintain safe conditions and not warning guests of potential hazards.
The suit claims the theme park “did not maintain its premises in a reasonably safe condition” and “failed to warn of dangerous conditions about which it knew or should have known.”
Martin is seeking more than $50,000 in damages and is requesting a jury trial.
Theme Park Incident Was Never Reported
According to multiple Florida media outlets, the incident was never reported to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which oversees ride safety at the state’s major theme parks.
Under Florida law, parks such as SeaWorld, Universal Orlando, and Walt Disney World are required to report serious ride-related injuries or hospitalizations.
The department said it had no record of any such report connected to the Mako roller coaster in March 2025.
SeaWorld Yet to Comment
As of Thursday, SeaWorld had not publicly responded to the lawsuit or issued a statement regarding the alleged bird strike. The park’s Mako roller coaster, themed around the ocean’s fastest shark, remains open and operational.
This isn’t the first time a bird strike has been reported at a theme park — similar incidents have occurred at attractions with open-air, high-speed rides. However, experts note that such accidents are rare and typically considered unpredictable events.
Attorney: ‘She Deserves Accountability’
While the case is still pending, Martin’s attorneys said they hope to hold the park accountable and raise awareness about guest safety.
“This was a traumatic, unexpected incident that left our client physically and emotionally scarred,” a representative for Morgan & Morgan said in a brief statement. “She deserves accountability and answers.”
The case highlights a strange but serious question about wildlife safety at open-air attractions, where high-speed rides intersect with Florida’s natural environment.
For updates on this developing story and other Florida news, visit NapervilleLocal.com.
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