Bird Strike Injures New Jersey Roller Coaster Rider

JACKSON, N.J. (AP) – A boy is recovering after he was hit in the face by a bird while riding a roller coaster at an amusement park in New Jersey.

The collision occurred as the Kingda Ka coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson was returning to the station Thursday.

Park spokeswoman Kristen Siebeneicher tells the Asbury Park Press (http://on.app.com/N1hV0G ) the boy was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries to his face and neck. She says it’s unclear what type of bird it was, but characterized it as small, and says its carcass is being handed over to the Ocean County Health Department.

The 45-story Kingda Ka coaster, which reaches speeds up to 128 mph, was shut down for 30 minutes.

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Information from: Asbury Park Press, http://www.app.com

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