A television reporter in New Zealand experienced a truly wild encounter that no journalism course could ever prepare her for. Jess Tyson, a 32-year-old former Miss World New Zealand, was struck directly in the face by a bird while filming a segment outdoors.
The Shocking On-Camera Moment
The incident occurred while Tyson was recording a piece for the Māori current affairs programme, Te Ao with Moana, in Auckland's Central Business District. Footage from the scene shows the reporter had just finished one take and was preparing for another when a sudden, loud thump was heard.
A blur of wings shot across the screen, making a direct line for Jess's face before tumbling down over her shoulder. The impact was immediate and severe. Tyson can be seen clutching her eye and turning away from the camera in clear shock, exclaiming, 'Holy s***!'
Aftermath and Injury
The cameraman quickly rushed over, asking if she was okay and noting, 'It went right into you!' He then saw the damage, adding, 'Oh s***, you're bleeding!' The collision left Tyson with a visible gash near her eye.
Despite the painful and startling event, the reporter maintained her sense of humour. She shared both the video and photos of her injury on her Instagram page. In the caption, she joked that the bird in question should have visited Specsavers, the well-known opticians.
A String of Unfortunate Events
Responding to comments, Tyson described the event as 'crazy hahaha' and confirmed that both she and the bird were safe. She also revealed this was the latest in a run of bad luck over a rough few weeks.
Just weeks prior, she had badly cut her finger with a knife that went through her nail. This was followed by a fall from her bike in Fiji, which resulted in an arm injury involving either a minor fracture or ligament damage, as diagnosed by a doctor. Reflecting on the bizarre series of events, she said, 'Sooooo weird!'
In response to the avian assault, the team performed some karakia (Māori incantations or prayers) to try and ensure it didn't happen again. While some folklore suggests a bird pooing on you is good luck, the verdict is still out on whether a full-force, face-first collision carries the same fortunate omen.
