Man rushed to hospital after crocodile attack in Far North Queensland

A man in his 40s was bitten three times and nearly drowned by a 4.5 metre crocodile on a remote Queensland beach.

A man in his 40s was bitten three times and nearly drowned by a 4.5-metre crocodile before sticking his fingers in its eyes to make a miraculous escape.

The man was spearfishing on a remote beach in Cooktown, in Queensland’s Far North on Saturday before he was mauled by the monster croc.

Queensland Ambulance scrambled paramedics and a helicopter to Archer Point campgrounds, about 5km south of the town on the Cape York Peninsula, following reports of an attack about 12.50pm.

A spokeswoman for the organisation said a man, aged in his 40s, was flown to Cairns hospital with lacerations to his head, shoulders and legs.

He arrived about 3.30pm on Saturday and is now in a stable condition, the spokeswoman said.

#Cooktown - Retrieval Services Queensland's Helicopter 510 and paramedics are attending reports of a crocodile attack at Archer Point at 12.52pm. No other details are available at the moment. pic.twitter.com/T62Jvz3XRZ

— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) April 8, 2023

Queensland Ambulance critical care flight paramedic Valerie Noble told the Courier Mail the man had managed to stick his fingers in the crocodile’s eyes to escape.

“He’s an extremely lucky man, not many people would live to tell the story like that,” she said.

Ms Noble told Nine the crocodile had bitten the man three times and dragged him to the bottom of the water.

The injured man had been with friends at the time, who were able to raise the alarm.

A man has miraculously survived a crocodile attack on Queensland's Cape York Peninsula. Picture: Nine

A Queensland Department of Environment and Science spokesman said wildlife officers will investigate the incident, with staff heading to confirm if the crocodile remains in the area.

“The information provided to DES suggests the man reportedly suffered serious injuries,” he said.

“Archer Point is known croc country. Remember, you are responsible for your own safety in croc country.”

There have been reports of a crocodile attack at Archer Point in Far North Queensland. Picture: Supplied.

The incident comes just days after a 65-year-old man was bitten while sleeping at Newell Beach near Port Douglas on April 4.

He received treatment for a minor injury to his legs and was discharged the following day.

Following the incident, the Queensland governments said it was a “timely reminder” for people to be “crocwise”.

Data from the Queensland Department of Environment and Science reveals there have been eight reported attacks between 2020 and March 2023 – seven of which were non-fatal.

The Department will investigate the attack and work to confirm if the crocodile remains in the area.

Originally published as Man rushed to hospital after crocodile attack in Far North Queensland