Brutal Lockhart River croc attack blamed on ‘incredible naivety’

A Cape York local that played a key role in the rescue of two soldiers seriously injured in a Lockhart River crocodile attack has blamed the potentially fatal mauling on “incredible naivety”.

A CAPE York local that played a key role in the rescue of two soldiers seriously injured in a Lockhart River crocodile attack has blamed the potentially fatal mauling on “incredible naivety”.

On Friday, after encountering bad weather, an army landing craft vessel pulled into the protection of bay north of Lockhart River en route to Darwin from Townsville.

Jayson Watkin, owner of the Temple guesthouse, said moments later one man made a mistake that nearly cost him his life.

An Army LCM8 landing craft similar to the vessel involved in a croc attack near Lockhart River on Friday.

MORE NEWS

Soldier saves mate’s life in croc wrestle

Ranger lucky to be alive after Cape attack

Croc attack crisis sparks call to ‘do more’

“They went for a swim and that is something you just don’t do in the Cape,” he said.

Mr Watkin launched his tinny after getting a call for help from the Lockhart River police and motored out to the army vessel.

“They brought the injured soldiers down and loaded them into my tinny,” he said.

“They were both in shock, the guy with the major injuries was trying to deal with the pain and had broken bones and major lacerations.”

The view of the bay where the croc attack took place on Friday from the Temple guesthouse. Picture: Supplied

That was the beginning of a horrendous six-hour ordeal for the two men who were both taken to shore by Mr Watkin before boarding a rescue helicopter flight to Lockhart River airstrip.

The final 800km trip to Cairns Hospital was on board a Flying Doctor fixed wing aircraft.

Queensland Ambulance Service senior operations supervisor Denis O’Sullivan said the younger man was the first to be attacked – he credited the actions of the 32-year-old soldier who wrestled the croc off his mate as lifesaving

“He is very much a hero,” the QAS supervisor said.

“Without his assistance, this could have been a fatality. Definitely, he’s done a very good job and very brave to go and help his mate (being attacked by) a wild animal.”

Two men mauled by a saltwater croc were transferred from a rescue helicopter to a Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia plane at the Lockhart River airstrip on Friday night. Picture: RFDS

The Department of Environment and Science sent wildlife offices to the area on Saturday and by Sunday had identified a number of animals that could be responsible for the attack.

The croc has been estimated at 2.5-3m long.

Mr Watkin said the pair were very lucky they were attacked by the “little fella” in comparison to 4m crocs known to inhabit the area.

“They were victims of their ignorance, they were incredibly naive and they almost paid the ultimate price,” he said.

The 20-year-old man was treated for significant head and upper body injuries – the older man had wrist and arm injuries.

Queensland Ambulance Service senior operations supervisor Denis O’Sullivan provided details on a QAS job to treat two men injured in a croc attack near Lockhart River on Friday. Picture: Peter Carruthers

The Department of Defence issued a statement on Saturday confirming the men were army personnel but wouldn’t be drawn how the men got in the water.

“Our immediate focus is on providing the necessary medical treatment for the soldiers involved, and supporting their families who have been informed,” she said.

An investigation into the incident is under way.

On Sunday a Cairns Hospital spokeswoman said both men were a stable condition.

Originally published as Brutal Lockhart River croc attack blamed on ‘incredible naivety’