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Man survives croc attack in Far North Queensland

Published: January 28, 2021

A man has had an extremely lucky escape after he was apparently attacked by a crocodile in Far North Queensland.

The man was swimming at Lake Placid in Cairns earlier this afternoon when the incident took place.

He sustained lacerations to his head, face, hand and shoulder and was taken to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition.

Critical care paramedic Paul Sweeney told the ABC that the man was conscious and luckily the injuries were not serious.

“There was definite evidence of puncture wounds through his scalp … from either the upper or lower jaw … corresponding to a bite,” he said. “The animal has bitten the top of his head, with jaws either side.”

The man also had minor puncture wounds to his right shoulder and one finger, but the injuries did not appear to have fractured his skull.

Mr Sweeney said that the man doing some training when he felt a croc clasp on the top of his head.

“He put his hands into the jaws to prize them off his head,” Mr Sweeney said. “And when he did so and let go, the jaw snapped shut onto his left forefinger.

Paramedics said the man then swam back to the bank and dragged himself out of the water.

Mr Sweeney said it was extremely lucky to escape without more serious injuries.

“Had the crocodile bitten into his neck or his throat where the major blood vessels are, then it could have been a fatality — he’s a very lucky man,” Mr Sweeney said.

Paramedics said his wounds would need to be treated but the man was expected to make a full recovery.

• Do you swim in lakes or waterholes when you are up north or do you always err on the side of extreme caution? Comment below.