A fisherman is recovering from serious injuries after he was attacked by a saltwater crocodile off the coast of nothern Australia.
The 45-year-old was diving for trepang (sea cucumber) off the Cobourg Peninsula, east of Darwin, when the crocodile struck.
The man had been working from a Tasmanian Seafoods boat with a group of divers in Knocker Bay, near the entrance to Port Essington, about 112miles northeast of Darwin. He struggled with the saltwater crocodile, which police said was believed to be 6ft 5ins to 9ft 8ins long, and managed to escape.
The 45-year-old was diving for trepang (sea cucumber) off the Cobourg Peninsula, east of Darwin, when the crocodile struck.
The man had been working from a Tasmanian Seafoods boat with a group of divers in Knocker Bay, near the entrance to Port Essington, about 112miles northeast of Darwin. He struggled with the saltwater crocodile, which police said was believed to be 6ft 5ins to 9ft 8ins long, and managed to escape.
It bit him on the head, neck, shoulders and arms, reported the Northern Territory News.
Saltwater crocodiles are considered extremely dangerous, and although rare, most attacks by adult 'salties' are fatal given the animals' strength and size. Senior District Ranger Peter Fitzgerald said the man's diving companions rescued him and took him to the Black Point ranger station.
"Another person on the boat ... dragged him out of the water," he said. "He'd got bitten a few times by the croc. He's just been in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Saltwater crocodiles are considered extremely dangerous, and although rare, most attacks by adult 'salties' are fatal given the animals' strength and size. Senior District Ranger Peter Fitzgerald said the man's diving companions rescued him and took him to the Black Point ranger station.
"Another person on the boat ... dragged him out of the water," he said. "He'd got bitten a few times by the croc. He's just been in the wrong place at the wrong time."
The man was flown by helicopter to Royal Darwin Hospital. He is in a stable condition and doctors say he won't need significant surgery. Tasmanian Seafoods Darwin manager Brett Almond visited him and said he was recovering. "He's going all right," he said.
Mr Almond said the victim was an experienced diver who had requested anonymity.
In 2005 another diver was killed by a crocodile while in the water at nearby Trepang Bay. Aquarium owner Russell Butel, 55, was taken by a 14ft 7ins beast while diving for clown fish.
The saltwater crocodile can reach over 28 feet in length and has a bite over ten time more powerful than a great white shark.
In 2005 another diver was killed by a crocodile while in the water at nearby Trepang Bay. Aquarium owner Russell Butel, 55, was taken by a 14ft 7ins beast while diving for clown fish.
The saltwater crocodile can reach over 28 feet in length and has a bite over ten time more powerful than a great white shark.
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