‘This Matter Does Not and Has Never Involved a Duck’
This undated image shows the Mako roller coaster, a shark-themed ride that rises 200 feet at its highest point and reaches speeds up to 73mph. (Chad Baumer/SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment via AP)
SeaWorld Orlando is disputing a lawsuit from a woman who claims she was hit in the face by a duck while riding the Mako roller coaster. In a court filing, the park clarified that the bird involved was actually a snowy egret, a small white heron, according to WFTV. “This matter does not and has never involved a duck,” SeaWorld stated.
The theme park is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed, arguing it cannot be held responsible for the actions of wild animals, Fox35 reports. SeaWorld’s attorneys also noted that the woman refused medical attention at the time because she “wanted to keep going in the park and did not want to be held up any longer.” They further rejected the claim that the coaster’s proximity to water created a “zone of risk,” saying the incident “could have occurred regardless of the presence of any body of water within the park.”
The lawsuit, filed in Orange County, alleges SeaWorld failed to maintain a safe ride area and did not warn guests about potential bird strikes—a risk the complaint says is heightened by the coaster’s speed of up to 73 mph, its placement over water, and its location within the habitat of local waterfowl, WESH reports.
According to the complaint, these factors create a “zone of danger” for collisions with birds, particularly ducks, gulls, and geese, and the ride’s design may even disorient birds, increasing the likelihood of impact. The woman, seeking at least $50,000 in damages and a jury trial, claims the incident caused permanent physical and mental injuries and reduced her quality of life.
The incident was not reported to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which requires major theme parks to document serious ride-related injuries, according to WESH and Fox35.
This lawsuit follows another filed last month, alleging that a child riding the same coaster in March was struck in the face by an object from another rider. The child required stitches and later developed PTSD, Fox35 reports.
About Post Author
