An elderly cyclist has died after a freak bike accident caused by a swooping magpie near an Illawarra beach on Sunday morning.
Witnesses reported a 76-year-old man was riding a pushbike on an off-road path that runs along the length of Woonona beach shortly after 8am when he swerved off the path to avoid a swooping magpie.
The man then collided with a fence post and was thrown to the ground, police said.
The elderly man sustained serious head injuries and was treated at the scene before being flown to St George Hospital in a critical condition.
He died of his injuries on Sunday evening.
Officers from Wollongong Police District are still investigating the incident, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
“Be cautious when you see them in a group. Solo magpies sing a quiet, warbling song (it can also mimic more than 35 other birds, plus dogs, horses and even humans). But in groups magpies can rile each other up, so their call gets loud and shrill. This is when they’re known to be the most territorial, so stay away.”
“Carry an open umbrella, a big stick or a golf club above your head. But don’t go all Shaun of the Dead, now. They’re just birds, and this isn’t the zombie apocalypse. This method is to keep them at bay, not to provoke an attack. Just remember – magpies are protected so don’t hit or hurt one!”
“If a magpie swoops, walk quickly and carefully away. Weirdly, magpies are less likely to swoop if you look at them, so you actually have to lock eyes with them and hold the stare-down until you’re out of sight. If they start acting hostile, try to stay calm. Arm-waving or other erratic behaviour will come off as an attack, and the magpie might get more aggressive.”
