Crocodile Attacks Man in Queensland, Sparking Widespread Croc Search Off Archer Point

A crocodile attack occurred in the remote part of northern Queensland, Australia over the Easter weekend. A man in his 40s lived to tell the tale of the attack but sustained multiple injuries and was rushed to a hospital in the state. Local wildlife authorities this week have continued their search for the reptile, which is still at large in the area as of Monday, April 10.

Far North Queensland Crocodile Attack

The north Queensland crocodile attack occurred while the man was spearfishing off the coast of Archer Point Camping near Cooktown at 1:00 p.m. local time on Saturday, April 8, The Canberra Times reported. It is not clear if the attack was provoked or not, as there was also no indication that the spear fisher struck the crocodile first.

Regardless, the reptile bites the man three times and dragged him at the bottom of the water. Local reports said the man sticked his fingers into the eyes of the predator before swimming back to the shore, according to flight paramedic Valerie Noble at Queensland Ambulance, as cited by The Guardian.

Prior to the man escaping, he has been in the water when he noticed the large crocodile approximately 4.5 meters in length swimming towards him and attempted to fend it off using his spear gun, but failed, Noble told Seven News.

Queensland Crocodile Search

The man, who sustained wounds on his head, shoulders, and legs, was rushed to Cairns Base Hospital where he was treated. Local authorities considered the man to be lucky as not many can survive such ordeal, 9 News Australia reported.

Wildlife rangers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services have continued their croc search operation in the waters off Archer Point on Monday. In a statement, the state's environment and science agency said the wildlife officers were not able to spot a crocodile overnight but were still conducting vessel-based searches, as cited by The Canberra Times.

Australia Crocodile Attacks

Australia is known for its wild animals, including its notorious saltwater crocodiles, which had a track record of attacking humans in the country in recent years.

In northern Queensland, crocodiles are a common occurrence across the state's waterways. With this, no waterway in the state can ever be treated as crocodile-free, according to the Queensland Department of Environment and Science.

The typical crocodile habitat called "croc country" spans from the Boyne River south of Gladstone, which then extends northward to the east coast and throughout Far North Queensland, as outlined by the department, which adds that crocodiles can also be found outside the croc country.

The recent Archer Point crocodile attack is the third related incident involving the reptiles within two months after a man was also bitten at Newell Beach on April 4 and another man at Bloomfield in February this year.