A man in his 50s who was snorkelling off Queensland has detailed his frightening encounter with a crocodile and how he had to dislodge his head from its jaw.
A Northern Territory teenager has had a near death experience with a crocodile while he was fishing off Groote Eylandt.
Zefha Butcher revealed how he fought off the crocodile after it attacked him from behind and attempted to death roll him in the water.
Mr Butcher said after a few attempts he was able to poke it in the eyes and run to safety.
Marcus McGowan, from the Gold Coast, was snorkelling with his wife and friends at the Charles Hardy Islands about 40km east of Cape Grenville off Cape York Peninsula when he was attacked.
The 51-year-old was taken back to Haggerstone Island before he was flown to Thursday Island Hospital and then transported to Cairns via the Royal Flying Doctor Service on Sunday.
He has now opened up about the incident in a statement released by the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service.
A 51-year-old Gold Coast man survived a crocodile attack on Saturday. Picture: Brendan Radke
“While checking out some coral and fish and talking to a fellow snorkeller, I was attacked from behind by a saltwater crocodile which got its jaws around my head,” Mr McGowan said.
“I thought it was a shark but when I reached up I realised it was a crocodile. I was able to lever its jaws open just far enough to get my head out.
“The crocodile then attempted to attack me a second time, but I managed to push it away with my right hand, which was then bitten by the croc.
“I was able to escape the crocodile’s grip once again and swim to the safety of the boat which was coming after they heard our screams for help.”
Cairns Base Hospital said Mr McGowan was “stable” on Monday after he suffered scalp lacerations and puncture wounds to his head and hand.
According to the Department of Environment and Science, crocodiles are known to inhabit the areas around Haggerstone Island although they are “difficult to locate” in the open ocean.
Four and a half metre crocodile killed by Wildlife Rangers
Loading embed…
Mr McGowan estimated the crocodile was possibly two to three metres long.
He said he understood the potential risks of the marine environment around him.
“I live on the Gold Coast and am a keen surfer and diver, and understand that when you enter the marine environment, you are entering territory that belongs to potentially dangerous animals, such as sharks and crocodiles,” he said.
“I was simply in the wrong place, at the wrong time.
“I’m just grateful it was me and not one of the kids or ladies in the group.”