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Baby dies after mother falls attempting to avoid swooping magpie in Brisbane’s south

A baby girl has died after suffering critical injuries when a mother fell attempting to duck a swooping magpie at a Brisbane park. The bird had been the subject of at least one official complaint.

Angry magpie's relentless attack on Brisbane postie

A baby girl has died after a tragedy in which a mother is believed to have fallen while trying to duck a swooping magpie at a park in Brisbane’s south.

The incident happened at Glindemann Park near the corner of Lawn and Steele streets, Holland Park West, just after midday on Sunday.

Questions are now being asked about why Brisbane City Council had failed to remove the magpie - which at least one resident had officially complained about, because of its overly agressive behaviour in recent weeks.

“We responded to reports that a mum had fallen with a baby in her arms, reportedly ducking to avoid a magpie,” a Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said.

“The Queensland Ambulance Service medical director and critical care paramedics responded and transported the infant to Queensland Children’s Hospital in a critical condition.”

The baby girl was taken to the Queensland Children’s Hospital in a critical condition but later died.

Police are expected to prepare a report for the coroner.

The magpie that caused the accident at Glindermann Park in Holland Park West. Picture: Liam Kidston
The magpie that caused the accident at Glindermann Park in Holland Park West. Picture: Liam Kidston

A young couple, who did not want to be identified, said they ran over to try and help the baby’s parents after they heard their distraught screams.

“I’ve seen shock before but this was beyond anything I’d ever seen,” the man said.

The man described how the baby’s father “did everything he could” and called Triple-0.

“I think it was really quite heroic that he was able to function enough to make those calls,” he said.

Paul Bryant, 38, being attacked by the same magpie that caused the horrific accident. Picture: Liam Kidston
Paul Bryant, 38, being attacked by the same magpie that caused the horrific accident. Picture: Liam Kidston
Paul Bryant, 38, being attacked by the same magpie that caused the horrific accident. Picture: Liam Kidston
Paul Bryant, 38, being attacked by the same magpie that caused the horrific accident. Picture: Liam Kidston

The man’s wife said paramedics arrived in under 10 minutes and stayed with the family for close to an hour.

She said they were both shocked and saddened by the incident.

“We’ve struggled, it took me ages to get to sleep last night,” she said.

“It’s sickening I suppose, seeing a family torn apart in one quick moment.”

Paul Bryant, 38, being attacked by the same magpie that caused the horrific accident. Picture: Liam Kidston
Paul Bryant, 38, being attacked by the same magpie that caused the horrific accident. Picture: Liam Kidston

A Brisbane City Council worker could be seen on Monday being swooped as he erected signs tape to cordon off the southern end of the park.

The magpie was captured by two council workers who took the bird away in a cage just before 3pm on Monday.

Resident Barry Stewart said he had reported the magpie to Brisbane City Council weeks ago.

“Eight to 10 weeks ago I reported this to the council because I got swooped,” Mr Stewart said.

A council worker erects signs warning people of the magpie following the attack. Picture: Liam Kidston
A council worker erects signs warning people of the magpie following the attack. Picture: Liam Kidston

The Courier-Mail witnessed at least five other people being attacked before the bird was removed.

Council has shut a footpath in Glindemann Park following the attack. Picture: Liam Kidston
Council has shut a footpath in Glindemann Park following the attack. Picture: Liam Kidston

Some could be seen bleeding from around their ears afterwards.

Workers remove the offending magpie. Picture: Liam Kidston
Workers remove the offending magpie. Picture: Liam Kidston

Resident Karl Taylor said he had “lost count” of how many times he had been swooped.

Mr Taylor said he did not know why the magpie had been removed earlier.

Local residents with sticks to stop the magpie from attacking them. Picture: Liam Kidston
Local residents with sticks to stop the magpie from attacking them. Picture: Liam Kidston

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said she had resorted to always carrying a stick when she left the house.

“They just come from nowhere and attack you like a tornado,” she said.

PHD student Amir Ganjavi, 31, being attacked by the same magpie. Picture: Liam Kidston
PHD student Amir Ganjavi, 31, being attacked by the same magpie. Picture: Liam Kidston
PHD student Amir Ganjavi, 31, escapes the magpie. Picture: Liam Kidston
PHD student Amir Ganjavi, 31, escapes the magpie. Picture: Liam Kidston

Brisbane City Standards Chair Kim Marx said an investigation was underway into the incident.

“This is an extremely tragic accident and our hearts go out to the family involved,” Cr Marx said.

A man walks onto the street to avoid being attacked by the offending magpie. Picture: Liam Kidston
A man walks onto the street to avoid being attacked by the offending magpie. Picture: Liam Kidston

“A number of signs warning about swooping birds were in place around the area where this incident occurred and our officers have now installed several more.”

The council did no respond last night when asked how many complaints had been made about the magpie.

Originally published as Baby dies after mother falls attempting to avoid swooping magpie in Brisbane’s south

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/queensland/baby-left-critical-after-mother-falls-attempting-to-avoid-swooping-magpie-in-brisbanes-south/news-story/e8b072d15d9cb8f04922f03f65bbcd41