‘Traumatised’: Man’s wife and children watch as he is attacked by crocodile in Far North Queensland

35

‘Traumatised’: Man’s wife and children watch as he is attacked by crocodile in Far North Queensland

A man’s wife and children have been left “traumatised” after watching him being attacked by a crocodile while on fishing in Far North Queensland, police have revealed.

The New South Wales family were on a caravan trip when they stopped at the Annan River, near Annan River Bridge, south of Cooktown on Saturday afternoon.

The 40-year-old man and his family were fishing on the river bank when he fell into the water and failed to resurface.

Camera IconThe crocodile believed to be responsible for the attack has not yet been located. Supplied Credit: Supplied

Witnesses told police they saw a “large crocodile” in the matter moments before the father fell in.

A crocodile reportedly named “Crocodile Bend” is known to frequent the area and was believed to be seen nearby.

Locals said the crocodile regularly feeds on roadkill that people throw in the river.

Senior Sergeant Greg Finucane offered his condolences to the family who have been left distressed by the tragedy.

“(They) are obviously very traumatised at the moment,” he said.

The attack sparked a frantic search involving about five Queensland Police officers, and 15 personnel from State Emergency Service and Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) wildlife officers.

Drones and watercraft are being used in the search for the missing father.

Footage of a crocodile known to frequent Crocodile Bend, on the Annan River, south of Cooktown, near where a 40-year-old New South Wales man was taken on Saturday, August 4, 2024. Video: Kim Andersen

The search and rescue mission is expected to continue on Monday, with authorities tasked with searching about 5km of waterways.

“The natural common movement and habitat of crocodiles has to be taken into account (as well),” Sergeant Finucane said.

The crocodile is not believed to have been spotted since the attack.

A Queensland environment department spokesperson told 7News, Wildlife officers from Cairns have travelled to Cooktown to conduct a preliminary site inspection of a section of the Annan River.

“Additional wildlife officers are on standby to travel to Cooktown should they be required,” they said.

“While the circumstances of this matter are yet to be confirmed, we remind everyone that Cooktown is known ‘Croc Country’ and urge everyone to be safe by practising ‘CrocWise’ behaviour.”

Source link

#Traumatised #Mans #wife #children #watch #attacked #crocodile #North #Queensland