Lad’s rollercoaster snap ruined as psycho pigeon headbutts him at 60mph and ricochets

Logan James was riding the Velocity rollercoaster at Flamingo Land in North Yorkshire when the bird emerged from nowhere and slammed into his head at a rate of knots

A lad on a rollercoaster had a photo opportunity ruined after a pigeon slammed into his face at 60mph.

Logan James was 13 at the time and had only been riding the Velocity ride at Flamingo Land for 15 seconds when the clumsy bird smashed into his head. The rollercoaster boasts an acceleration of 0-60mph in 2.8, with a photograph showing the exact moment the winged critter hit his bonce and exploded in a cloud of feathers.

Logan, now 19, and his mum Rebecca Bolton don’t think the animal survived after it ricocheted off his head and flew into a nearby fence. Logan, from North Seaton, Northumberland, 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. From the speed of the ride I’m guessing it [the bird] exploded. There was blood on my jacket and bits on the back of my neck but we couldn’t find the pigeon anywhere. There were feathers everywhere. At the time we thought it blew up pretty much.”

Mum Rebecca, 37, was waiting at the end of the ride for her son, becoming confused when she spotted other thrillseekers laughing at Logan once it had finished.

Rebecca, from North Seaton, Ashington, 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. But 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.”

Social media users have often compared the bird’s tragic death to the hilarious moment back in 1999 when supermodel Fabio was injured while riding a rollercoaster at an appearance at Busch Gardens in Virginia, US.

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?”