Moment pigeon smacks teen's head in rollercoaster snap (2025)

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A teenager has told how he had his rollercoaster picture photobombed - by a pigeon that slammed into his face at 60mph.

Logan James, from North Seaton, Northumberland, had been riding the Velocity at Flamingo Land for just 15 seconds when the bird emerged from nowhere and flew straight into his head.

And cameras on the ride, which accelerates from 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds, captured the exact moment the winged pest smacked him when he was just 13-years-old.

Logan, now 19, says at the time he had no idea what had happened and initially believed the bird's feathers to be pieces of confetti.

He said: 'At the time it hit me I didn't know what it was. Everyone thought it was confetti getting chucked in the air.

'I was just wondering what hit me in the face to be honest, I was laughing because it didn't even hurt either.

'At first I didn't realise until I walked for maybe 20 seconds, then I saw my neck and jacket had feathers stuck to it and was so confused.

'Everyone was confused and just laughing. We all ran over to where you collect photos after the ride and everyone looked at my photo.

'They ran over and took pictures just honestly laughing their heads off. We all saw the funny side of it, I was laughing at it for about a week.'

Logan was with his mother, Rebecca, 37, at the theme park in Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire, who was waiting for him at the end of the ride.

She recalled feeling confused when she spotted the other thrillseekers on the ride laughing at her so before then realising what had happened.

She said: 'Everyone came over and they were all laughing and pointing.

'I didn't really think too much of it until his picture popped up and everyone was taking photographs of his photograph because it was quite comical.

'I did find it really funny but I was concerned that he'd been hurt.

'I do feel sorry for the bird. I don't think it fared too well, it kind of bounced over a fence into an area where we couldn't go.

'I laugh every time it pops up on my memories. I get a good chuckle from it.'

Facebook users compared Logan's misfortune to a famous photo of supermodel Fabio who was injured in 1999 while riding a rollercoaster at an appearance at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia.

Rebecca said: 'Online they were comparing him to Fabio. I hadn't heard of him until people started talking about it and I looked into it. It's quite similar.

'I think the pigeon might have secretly wanted to get a close-up. It's ironic that it happened at Flamingo Land.'

One user commented: 'I wonder what are the odds of getting hit by a bird while on a roller coaster AND having the picture snapped at the same time?'

Another said: 'This is my worst fear on a rollercoaster, well second to it coming off the track.'

A third said: 'I think the pigeon looks to be having just as much fun as the rest of them! Wings and hands up!'

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