A woman was attacked by a magpie while working overseas.
Marcela Montalva relocated to Ravenswood, a small and lonely hamlet in the Australian Outback, from Chile around four months ago. She was in the country on a temporary working holiday visa, which permits people to travel while working to pay their adventures.
“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 giving my best,” she wrote in a GoFundMe contribution.
However, on October 15, during one of her days off, Montalva experienced an unexpected event while riding her bike to a neighboring post office.
“Halfway there, I was suddenly attacked by a magpie, lost control of the bicycle, and fell hard on the road, hitting the left side of my face on the concrete,” she told me. “I lost consciousness and then awoke in the mine’s medical unit. I had to be flown by helicopter to Townsville University Hospital since I was in a very isolated region.”
When doctors arrived at the hospital, they discovered that the colorful bird, which belongs to the same family as crows and jays, had caused significant damage, including multiple fractures in Montalva’s left cheekbone and a rare fracture of the hyoid bone in her neck.
“Doctors told me I was lucky to be alive,” Montalva stated. “Unfortunately, my travel insurance has refused to cover any medical or surgical costs, claiming that the initial report stated I was found without a helmet.”
Montalva has subsequently raised approximately $7,820 to help cover the medical and surgical expenditures associated with the facial reconstructive surgery, which will restore her ability to eat and speak properly.
“I never imagined something like this could happen to me,” the woman explained.
“I always try to stay safe, but I could have never predicted that a bird attack would lead to such a serious accident,” she told reporters.
