A young woman who was left with serious injuries following a magpie attack has been dealt a cruel blow after her insurance company refused to cover her medical bills.
Chilean national Marcela Montalva is 'lucky to be alive' following the incident at Ravenswood, 135km south of Townsville in north Queensland, on Wednesday.
Ms Montalva had been riding her bike to the post office, which is located two kilometres from home, when she was attacked by a magpie.
She fell from her bike, hit the left side of her face on the concrete road, lost consciousness and later woke up inside a medical unit at a mine.
Doctors immediately airlifted the working holiday maker to Townsville University Hospital to treat her extensive injuries.
Ms Montalva suffered extensive injuries to the left side of her face including fractures to her eye socket, her upper jaw, upper jaw), zygomatic arch and her cheekbone.
She also suffered a rare and dangerous fracture to her hyoid bone - a horseshoe-shaped bone located in the neck.
Ms Montalva has launched a GoFundMe to help raise funds for her medical and surgical expenses, claiming her insurance company has refused to foot the bill.
Marcela Montalva, who moved to Australia from Chile, was working in the remote rural town of Ravenswood - about 135km south of Townsville, Queensland
She said they have argued an initial report of the incident stated she had no helmet, and therefore they were not liable to cover her medical expenses.
Ms Montlava claims she was wearing a helmet while on her bike to the post office, but when she regained consciousness inside the mine's medical unit she was without her bike and her helmet.
'I've tried to dispute this information, but so far I haven't been successful,' Ms Montalva wrote.
'It's not easy for me to ask for help, but right now, I truly need it.Any contribution, big or small, will help me cover the surgery, hospital bills, and recovery expenses.
'I never imagined something like this could happen to me, I always try to stay safe, but I could have never predicted that a bird attack would lead to such a serious accident.'
At the time of writing, the GoFundMe had received 105 donations totalling $4,117 and has a goal of raising $20,000.
Ms Montalva has been living in Australia since February on a Working Holiday Visa.
She said she moved to Australia 'ready to work' and excited to explore the 'beautiful country' and it's incredible culture and landscapes.
Ms Montalva was riding her bike to the post office when she was attacked by a magpie. She was airlifted to hospital after suffering severe injuries to her face
Ms Montalva has made a desperate appeal for help after her insurance refused to cover the costs of her medical bills
About four months ago, Ms Montalva moved to Ravenswood.
She began working as an all-rounder at a local service station as part of the 88 regional work days required under her visa.