That’s the message from the NSW Ambulance service following a jump in the number of crashes involving kangaroos in recent months. 

Paramedics have responded to 38 collisions with kangaroos, three wombat-related accidents and two incidents involving possums across NSW since August 1.

The figures include motorists and cyclists who have come into unexpected contact with wildlife on roads in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands. 

Among the casualties was Bowral cyclist Col Wooderson. The 50-year-old was struck by a kangaroo while riding on the Old Hume Highway at Berrima about 5.15am on October 23. 

“It all happened so quickly. It was still dark and quite foggy and I was riding down a hill with a mate,” Mr Wooderson said. “The kangaroo came from the bush and straight at me on to the road. The last thing I remember was him looking at me and me looking at him.”

Mr Wooderson was catapulted over the handlebars and landed on his head. The force of the impact split his helmet. He was rushed to Liverpool Hospital with two broken bones in his neck, a spinal fracture and a significant cut to the forehead.

“I’ve had a few close calls with kangaroos over the years. It’s just fortunate I was wearing a helmet as it probably saved me from even worse injury,” he said.

NSW Ambulance Inspector Rhys Dive said dry weather and soaring temperatures had forced wildlife onto the roadside in the hunt for food. Inspector Dive urged road users to stay alert and slow down, “especially at sunrise and sunset when visibility is decreased and animals tend to be more active”.