Baby killed in 'tragic' magpie swooping accident
The five-month-old baby who was killed as her mum fell when swooped by a magpie in Brisbane over the weekend has been identified.
On Sunday at Glindemann Park in Holland Park West, Brisbane paramedics were called following reports of a woman falling while carrying a baby and trying to avoid a swooping magpie.
The baby was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at hospital. She has since been identified through a GoFundMe page as five-month-old Mia, the daughter of Jacob and Simone.
According to a GoFundMe set up for the family, Mia was born on February 25, 2021.
"Everything about Mia was perfect from her head full of hair, to her tiny little nose and her little long toes," the GoFundMe page says.
"Mia’s arrival made Jacob and Simone’s lives complete, they constantly doted over her, showered her with love, and shared her for all their loved ones to adore."
Witnesses told the Courier Mail, Mia's father Jacob Power, did "everything he could" following the incident and made the call to Triple 0.
“I think it was really quite heroic that he was able to function enough to make those calls,” the witness said.
The GoFundMe page was set up to allow for Mia's parents to pay for her funeral and for Jacob and Simone to take as much time as they need following the tragedy.
"No words can begin to describe the torture Jacob and Simone are going through," the GoFundMe says.
"A life cut so short, much sooner than any one of us expected. Mia was and forever will be the light of Jacob and Simone’s lives."
The GoFundMe also says family members are trying their best to get across the border into Queensland so they can support the grieving parents.
More than £15,000 has been raised so far.
Council acts following baby's death
Brisbane City Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has called for an investigation into Brisbane’s management of swooping birds at Glindemann Park.
“This is an extremely tragic accident, and our heart goes out to the family involved,” Cr Schrinner said in a statement.
“I have called for a full investigation into the terrible accident at Holland Park so we can review how council officers manage complaints and make informed decision to improve the situation, so no one gets hurt."
He said while it is important to protect native wildlife, "people are the priority here".
"We need to feel safe to be out walking and riding in our suburbs all year round, including in the six-to-eight-weeks of nesting season," he said.
Between July and December, native birds in Brisbane may swoop and act defensively while nesting, Brisbane City Council says on its website.
'Devastating consequences' of magpies swooping
Magpies have somewhat of a reputation for being defensive during nesting season while they protect their eggs or their young.
Following the fatal incident at Glindemann, Today Show host Karl Stefanovic accused the council of being "paralysed by fear" of backlash and not acting to prevent the magpie from attacking another victim.
"The bird should have been relocated well before it was too late for this family, well before that, can't coexist with some elements of nature, we have to choose," Mr Stefanovic said.
The bird which reportedly attacked Mia's mother has since been removed from the park and according to Channel Nine, the council has put up signs.
Sean Dooley from BirdLife Australia told the ABC only male magpies do the swooping and only 10 per cent of males actually swoop.
“The consequences, especially when people are caught unaware, can be truly terrifying and devastating," Mr Dooley said.
