Man attacked by a crocodile east of Haggerstone Island speaks out about his attack

The Gold Coast man who was attacked by a crocodile in Far North Queensland at the weekend has told how the beast had his head in its mouth at one point, in a dramatic recounting of his narrow escape.

The 51-year-old man recovering in hospital has detailed his incredible escape after a crocodile attacked him from behind and “got its jaws around my head” while snorkelling kilometres from the Cape York coastline.

Marcus McGowan, who said he lived on the Gold Coast, said that after a morning of fishing on Saturday, he and his wife and group of friends anchored at the Charles Hardy Islands for lunch and a quick snorkel.

“While checking out some coral and fish and talking to a fellow snorkeller, I was attacked from behind by a saltwater crocodile which got its jaws around my head,” he said in a statement released by the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service.

“I thought it was a shark but when I reached up I realised it was a crocodile. I was able to lever its jaws open just far enough to get my head out,” Mr McGowan said.

“The crocodile then attempted to attack me a second time, but I managed to push it away with my right hand, which was then bitten by the croc.

“I was able to escape the crocodile’s grip once again and swim to the safety of the boat which was coming after they heard our screams for help.”

A 51-year-old Brisbane man is transported to Cairns Hospital by Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics after being flown from the Torres Strait to Cairns by the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The man was bitten by a saltwater crocodile in waters near Haggerstone Island, in remote Far North Queensland, and was treated at Thursday Island Hospital before being flown to Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr McGowan was taken back to Haggerstone Island, where he was flown to Thursday Island Hospital on Saturday.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service then flew him to Cairns on Sunday.

Mr McGowan said the incident occurred so suddenly, he was unable to estimate the crocodile’s exact size but he believed it may have been 2-3m long.

“I live on the Gold Coast and am a keen surfer and diver, and understand that when you enter the marine environment, you are entering territory that belongs to potentially dangerous animals, such as sharks and crocodiles,” Mr McGowan said.

“I was simply in the wrong place, at the wrong time.

“I’m just grateful it was me and not one of the kids or ladies in the group.”

According to the RDFS, a nurse, who was assisted by a doctor on a telehealth consultation – on the phone – flew with Mr McGowan to Cairns.

The nurse used an RDFS medical chest.

Cairns Base Hospital reported on Monday Mr McGowan was “stable”.

A spokesman for the Department of Environment and Science confirmed on Sunday the incident would be investigated.

Beach at Haggerstone Island. The attack took place 28km east of the island. Picture: TEQ Supplied

He suffered scalp lacerations and puncture wounds to his head and hand in the attack.

The DES advised Haggerstone Island was known crocodile country and it was important everyone practised “crocwise” behaviour in known crocodile areas.

“Crocodiles in the open ocean can be difficult to locate as the animals often travel tens of kilometres per day,” the statement said.

“We investigate all crocodile sighting reports that we receive.”

Haggerstone Island Resort was not able to be contacted on Monday.

Mr McGowan wanted to thank everyone who attended the incident.

“I want to thank everyone who has helped me during this ordeal, including staff at Haggerstone Island Resort, rescue helicopter crew, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Thursday Island and Cairns Hospitals,” he said.

“I have discussed this incident with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.”

Originally published as Man attacked by a crocodile east of Haggerstone Island speaks out about his attack