Kangaroo ‘jumps’ two female cyclists

A woman says she and a friend were injured when they were attacked by a kangaroo while on a cycling tour of an Australian wine region.

Sharon Heinrich, 45, said she and Helen Salter, 47, were cycling side by side along a tourist route in the Clare Valley in South Australia state when she saw a large kangaroo standing on a slight rise.

As they passed, the kangaroo bounded across the trail, landing with his long hind legs first on Ms Heinrich’s left torso and then on Ms Salter’s back.

It knocked both from their bikes before hopping off, apparently unharmed, Ms Heinrich said.

“I’ve gone to ride past, I thought ‘he’s cute’, and he’s just jumped me and taken out the side of me,” said Ms Heinrich.

“As I’m falling, I felt him push off me and then he’s flown to Helen and taken her out.

“He looked peaceful. He didn’t look angry.”

Ms Heinrich said she broke three ribs and will undergo surgery to replace ruptured breast implants.

“They worked as air bags and have been ruptured by the ordeal,” Ms Heinrich joked.

Ms Salter suffered concussion and whiplash, Ms Heinrich said.

Ms Salter managed to cycle on Ms Heinrich’s bike to a nearby business to call an ambulance.