A man in his fifties suffered severe injuries after a kangaroo attack on his property in Willows, a rural town in Queensland. The kangaroo, described as "massive," stood at an estimated two metres tall and weighed over 100 kilograms. The attack occurred while the man was walking to his car, leaving him with serious hip injuries and wounds to his arms and chest.
The injured man was initially driven to Emerald Hospital and later airlifted to Rockhampton Hospital, where he remains in stable condition. His next-door neighbour provided crucial assistance immediately after the attack, likely saving the man's life by preventing severe blood loss.
Public warnings are now in effect for two large kangaroos in the area, as the community is on edge, fearing potential future attacks. Such incidents are rare but can happen when kangaroos feel threatened. Rick Underhill, a local resident, expressed concern for the safety of the community.
"Stay at home and don’t go out,” advised Rick Underhill.
The community's fear is compounded by its demographics, with many elderly residents who enjoy walking their dogs in the morning.
“A lot of elderly people live in this little community, and they like to go and walk their dogs in the morning. And that’s just asking for trouble,” Rick Underhill added.
Despite the rarity of such attacks, this incident has raised alarms due to the ferocity of the encounter.
“It made a hell of a mess of this poor man … it’s damaged him really badly,” Rick Underhill remarked, highlighting the severity of the man's injuries.
The attack took place approximately 350 kilometers west of Rockhampton in a predominantly rural area. The man's neighbour emphasized that such aggressive behavior from kangaroos is uncommon.
“This bastard wasn’t provoked … I’ve been out here for 13, 14 years, and I’ve never seen a problem out here, ever,” he explained.
Rick Underhill also drew on his extensive experience, noting the unusual nature of the incident.
“I spent 20 years in the army, for instance, in all sorts of conditions, and I’ve never, ever seen a roo attack someone before,” he stated.
Officials are urging residents to exercise caution and avoid close contact with wild kangaroos.