A woman in Australia’s Outback survived a terrifying magpie attack, leaving her with severe injuries. Marcela Montalva, a Chilean native on a working holiday visa, faced the unexpected assault while biking to a post office in Ravenswood. The bird strike caused her to lose control, resulting in a hard fall and unconsciousness.
Transported to Townsville University Hospital, doctors found Montalva with multiple fractures in her face and a rare neck bone fracture from the magpie’s aggression. Despite being fortunate to survive, she now requires urgent facial reconstructive surgery to restore her ability to eat and speak. Unfortunately, her travel insurance has declined coverage for medical costs, citing the absence of a helmet during the incident.
To fund the necessary procedures, Montalva has raised approximately $12,000 (AUD) through a GoFundMe campaign. Expressing shock over the accident, she emphasized the unforeseen nature of being attacked by a bird, highlighting the importance of safety precautions.