Man hits croc to save mate

NADJA HAINKE

September 21st, 2010

A TERRITORY man miraculously survived a croc attack after his mate punched the massive saltie.

The NT News received several reports, saying the man was at the water's edge when the saltie - believed to be up to 4m long - launched at him and grabbed his leg.

The newspaper was told the man had been shooting in the Adelaide River region and went down to the water to wash off his dogs when he was attacked.

The paper has been told the croc appeared from its hidden vantage point underwater and tried to drag the man into the river.

His friend then wrestled with the huge croc to free the victim from its grip.

The incident happened last Monday.

Territory police and Parks and Wildlife had not been informed of the reports.

But Royal Darwin Hospital told the NT News they were aware of the patient who had been admitted to the hospital before being released a few days later. The Territory Health Department said they had no legal obligation to inform the public when a croc attack happened.

"And no information is released if a patient has requested privacy," a department statement said.

The man, a plumber, has not been able to return to work.

Adelaide River is known for its large population of monster-sized salties.

The incident comes only six months after two similar attacks where the victims also miraculously survived.

The NT News reported on March 22 how a five-year-old girl was attacked by a crocodile in the beach community of Birany Birany - about 135km south of Nhulunbuy.

Police said the saltie was about 2m long.

But the little girl managed to escape the attack, suffering only a deep gash to her right thigh.

And less than a week earlier, a man was reportedly bitten several times by a saltwater crocodile off the Cobourg Peninsular, northeast of Darwin.

The 45-year-old man, who was a commercial trepang diver with the company Tasmanian Seafoods, was attacked near Black Point in Port Essington.

He was dragged back to a boat by his fellow divers who bandaged him, took him to Black Point ranger station and arranged for him to be flown to Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment.

http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/09/21/180941_ntnews.html