A routine outdoor news shoot in Auckland took a wild and painful turn for reporter and former Miss World New Zealand, Jessica Tyson, when an unexpected avian intruder crashed into her face. The incident, which occurred on December 2, was captured on camera and has since spread rapidly across social media platforms, captivating a global audience.
The Shocking On-Camera Incident
Jessica Tyson was in the middle of recording a segment on fast fashion for the current affairs programme Te Ao with Moana, which analyses news through a Maori lens. Dressed in a pink outfit, she had just finished her first take and was preparing for the second when the unexpected happened. A seagull, flying at high speed, collided directly with her face, violently jerking her head to the side.
In the video she later posted on Instagram, Tyson is seen instantly turning away, clutching her face in shock and pain, and exclaiming, "Holy sh**." Crew members immediately rushed to her aid. A concerned colleague alerted her, "You're bleeding," prompting Tyson to touch her face in sheer disbelief.
Injury and a Lucky Escape
Despite being visibly shaken, the professional reporter composed herself and continued with the shoot. She appeared back on screen with a noticeable cut above her left eye and a trail of blood down her cheek. Reflecting on the frightening event in a Facebook post, Tyson revealed the extent of the close call.
"Its beak or claws must have hit me because I was left with a scar above my left eye, below my eyebrow - just missing my eyeball, luckily," she wrote. She also reassured everyone that the seagull was unharmed and flew away after the collision. Tyson then went to a nearby office to clean the wound before resuming the filming of her segment.
Netizens React to the Viral Clip
The bizarre and dramatic video sparked a wave of reactions online. While many expressed genuine concern for Tyson's well-being, the surreal nature of the incident also prompted humorous comments.
One user asked, "Are we allowed to laugh or is it too soon?" To this, Tyson herself graciously replied that she found herself laughing about it roughly ten minutes after it happened. Other reactions ranged from shock to witty puns:
- "Ahhhhh! Wild to have happened and to have been caught on camera!"
- "NOOO, OMG, that is like my worst NIGHTMARE!! I'm glad you're alright though!!"
- "BIRDS EYE VIEW ?? that’s crazy!!"
The incident has undoubtedly turned Jessica Tyson into an internet sensation, highlighting the unpredictable perils of live outdoor broadcasting. Her calm handling of the situation and her good humour in response have been widely noted by viewers around the world.
