Woman requires surgery after magpie attack (4 photos)

Marcela Montalva Iriarte was spending her weekend in Ravenswood, Queensland. On October 15, she decided to ride her bike to the nearest post office. Nothing foreshadowed trouble.





The 30-year-old Chilean woman came to Australia on a work visa. On October 15, she was riding her bike when a magpie attacked her. She fell onto the road and lost consciousness from the impact on the left side of her face.

"I decided to go to the post office, which is about two kilometers from where I live and work," Iriarte told 7News. "Halfway there, a magpie attacked me. I lost control of my bike and fell onto the road, hitting my face on the concrete."



She added: "The last thing I remember is the magpie screaming. Then everything went black."

Australian male magpies are known for their aggressiveness during breeding season. They often swoop down and attack if they feel threatened. This includes pedestrians and cyclists who unknowingly stray too close to their nests.





Iriarte woke up in a medical center in a small mountain town. Due to the severity of her injuries, she was transferred to Townsville University Hospital.

It was later discovered that she had a fractured left cheekbone and hyoid bone. A fracture of the hyoid bone is not only rare but also dangerous, as this bone is responsible for tongue control and swallowing.

"I'm lucky to be alive," Marcela said.

The woman is preparing for facial reconstructive surgery. She admits, "I'm in pain, I can't eat properly. I've lost 4 kg since Wednesday because I'm eating very little. Now I can only afford baby food."



Iriarte adds, "I just wanted to get a two-year visa, travel, and experience Australian culture. Now I only dream of one thing – to go home."

The hiker shared on GoFundMe that her insurance company refused to cover her medical expenses, citing an initial report that stated she wasn't wearing a helmet. She has since raised $12,000 Australian dollars, for which she is very grateful.