Ava McDonnell
A Florida woman sued SeaWorld Orlando, claiming she was knocked unconscious when a duck struck her face while riding the park’s Mako roller coaster.
According to court documents, Hillary Martin, a resident of Orange County, filed the negligence lawsuit in Orange County Circuit Court. The incident happened on March 24, while Martin was riding Mako, one of SeWorld’s fastest and tallest roller coasters.
On Monday, the lawsuit was filed by Morgan & Morgan seeking at least $50,000 in damages and requests a jury trial. Martin alleges that SeaWorld failed to maintain a safe environment and did not warn guests of potential hazards related to birds flying near the ride.
The complaint claims SeaWorld “created a zone of danger for bird strikes” because the coaster operates at high speeds near a body of water that attracts ducks, geese, and other related wildlife. According to SeaWorld, the Mako coaster reaches speeds up to 73 mph and heights of about 200 feet.
Martin says she suffered “permanent injuries,” including physical and mental pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
The lawsuit also notes that the incident was not reported to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which requires major theme parks to report guest injuries.
SeaWorld issued a statement to ABC News, saying “The safety of our guests and employees is a top priority, and we talk these situations seriously. We will not be commenting beyond that as this is pending litigation.”
Attorney John Morgan, representing Martin, said his firm intends to hold the company accountable.
“We’re here to get justice for our client,” Morgan said.
According to court records, the trial is scheduled for Nov. 8, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. in Orlando.
The lawsuit raises questions about how theme parks manage wildlife risks near outdoor rides. While bird strikes are occasionally reported in aviation or sports, such incidents involving roller coasters are extremely rare.
Martin’s case remains pending in Orange County court.
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