Queensland crocodile attack: two army personnel mauled north of Lockhart River
Soldier in his 20s, who was swimming in croc-infested waters, and friend who went to help, suffer serious injuries
A soldier whose head and body were bitten by a crocodile in far north Queensland, and his friend, have been airlifted to Cairns with serious injuries.
Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images
Australian Associated Press
Sat 7 Aug 2021
A soldier has head, chest and arm injuries after being mauled by a saltwater crocodile that also attacked an army colleague who went to his aid in far north Queensland.
The men, who were reportedly swimming in croc-infested waters north of the Lockhart River on Friday afternoon when the attack occurred, have been airlifted to Cairns with serious injuries.
The ambulance service said the most seriously injured man, aged in his early 20s, suffered head, chest and arm injuries. He is in a serious but stable condition.
The other man, in his early 30s, suffered wrist and arm injuries and is in a stable condition.
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The men were initially treated by a medical officer on an army barge before being transferred to another vessel and taken to shore. They were then airlifted to Cairns by the Royal Flying Doctors.
The attack happened about a kilometre from the community of Portland Road, towards the tip of Cape York Peninsula, just after 4pm.
The defence department told reporters both men are army personnel but have not revealed if they were on or off duty when the attack happened.
“Our immediate focus is on providing the necessary medical treatment for the soldiers involved, and supporting their families who have been informed,” it said. “The incident is under investigation, as such, defence will not provide any further detail.”
Lockhart River mayor Wayne Butcher said the men had gone for a swim in known crocodile habitat.
Butcher told the ABC: “Two blokes have been swimming in croc-infested waters. One got attacked and the other one … tried to help.
“They’re found and in safe hands … I’m hoping that they’re well.”
Denis O’Sullivan from the Queensland Ambulance Service said the younger man was incredibly lucky to be alive, given the extent of his blood loss and reports the crocodile was about 2.5 metres long.
Australian Associated Press
Sat 7 Aug 2021
A soldier has head, chest and arm injuries after being mauled by a saltwater crocodile that also attacked an army colleague who went to his aid in far north Queensland.
The men, who were reportedly swimming in croc-infested waters north of the Lockhart River on Friday afternoon when the attack occurred, have been airlifted to Cairns with serious injuries.
The ambulance service said the most seriously injured man, aged in his early 20s, suffered head, chest and arm injuries. He is in a serious but stable condition.
The other man, in his early 30s, suffered wrist and arm injuries and is in a stable condition.
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The men were initially treated by a medical officer on an army barge before being transferred to another vessel and taken to shore. They were then airlifted to Cairns by the Royal Flying Doctors.
The attack happened about a kilometre from the community of Portland Road, towards the tip of Cape York Peninsula, just after 4pm.
The defence department told reporters both men are army personnel but have not revealed if they were on or off duty when the attack happened.
“Our immediate focus is on providing the necessary medical treatment for the soldiers involved, and supporting their families who have been informed,” it said. “The incident is under investigation, as such, defence will not provide any further detail.”
Lockhart River mayor Wayne Butcher said the men had gone for a swim in known crocodile habitat.
Butcher told the ABC: “Two blokes have been swimming in croc-infested waters. One got attacked and the other one … tried to help.
“They’re found and in safe hands … I’m hoping that they’re well.”
Denis O’Sullivan from the Queensland Ambulance Service said the younger man was incredibly lucky to be alive, given the extent of his blood loss and reports the crocodile was about 2.5 metres long.
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