Woman ‘lucky to be alive’ after magpie attack leaves her with fractured neck | World | News
A woman who was attacked by a magpie while cycling suffered multiple fractures on her face and neck. Marcela Montalva, originally from Chile, moved to a small, remote town in the Australian outback four months ago and was told she was “lucky to be alive” after the terrifying ordeal.
Ms Montalva lives in Ravenswood on a temporary working holiday visa, which allows travelers to work and earn money. “I came here full of dreams, ready to work hard, explore this beautiful country and enjoy its incredible landscapes and culture, always respecting the environment and ready to do my best,” he wrote. GoFundMe page. But his day off on October 15 ended in disaster when he was attacked while cycling to a nearby post office. “Halfway down the road I was suddenly attacked by a magpie, I lost control of the bike and fell hard onto the road, the left side of my face hitting the concrete,” he said.
“I lost consciousness and later woke up in the mine’s medical unit. Because I was in such a remote area, I had to be taken from there by helicopter to Townsville University Hospital.”
When he arrived at the hospital, doctorsGymnorhina tibicen) – a different species to the one in the UK but with similar plumage – had caused significant injuries, including multiple fractures to his left cheekbone and a rare fracture to the hyoid bone in his neck.
“Doctors told me I was lucky to survive,” Montalva added. “I now need facial reconstructive surgery urgently as I have difficulty eating and speaking properly.
“Unfortunately my travel insurance refused to cover any medical or surgical expenses, claiming that the initial report stated I was found without a helmet.”
Montalva has raised around A$12,000 (£5,900) so far to help pay for the medical and surgical procedures required to reconstruct the face.
“I never thought something like this could happen to me,” he said. “I always try to stay safe, but I never would have guessed that a bird attack would lead to such a serious accident,” he added.
It comes after a woman described as having a “heart of gold” died after being attacked by a pack of dogs in August. Priscilla Jones, 44, of Flat Lick, Kentucky, was “attacked and severely injured by a pack of dogs wandering in the area,” the Knox County Sheriff’s Department said. Ms Jones was taken to nearby Barbourville ARH Hospital after a woman who recognized her called 911, but police said she “succumbed to her injuries” and was pronounced dead.
