Dhipirri Lodge’s Sean Fiumara survives ‘freakish’ croc attack in East Arnhem

‘The croc’s jumped up and pulled him in’: Isaac Hammond, 14, was close enough to see eye-to-eye with a croc the moment it snatched an NT fishing guide from his boat. Find out how he helped save the angler’s life.

Dhipirri Barra and Sportfishing Lodge’s Sean Fiumara survived a croc attack in East Arnhem.

Young Isaac Hammond was close enough to see eye-to-eye with a crocodile the moment it snatched a Northern Territory fishing guide right off his boat.

The 14-year-old angler was the first to reach for Dhipirri Barra and Sportfishing Lodge guide Sean Fiumara when the croc lost its grip on the older man.

Isaac has been hailed the hero of the day by family and fishos for his efforts.

The Sydney boy said Mr Fiumara had been guiding his family – including dad Misha and brother Oliver, 18 – to some of the best fishing spots East Arnhem Tuesday when disaster struck.

Sean Fiumara and Isaac Hammond on a Dhipirri Lodge fishing charter.

“We hadn’t seen a croc the entire day, and we just kept fishing,” Isaac said.

He said they had been at a new location for five minutes, with Sean standing on the side of the boat telling Misha and Oliver where to cast.

“I was sitting down at the time – (Sean) was walking over, he was standing above me, and the croc’s jumped up and pulled him in.”

Isaac said he reacted on instinct, leaning over the side of the boat to catch a glimpse of where the fisho was to reach out and help.

The teen said he reached down and grabbed Mr Fiumara’s arm when he broke free of the croc’s jaws and resurfaced.

“Then Dad came over and helped and we pulled him up together,” he said.

“The adrenaline was running so it felt like he weighed nothing.”

Proud father Misha said Isaac “did so well” throughout the rescue and return to shore.

Although Mr Fiumara was “quite happy” to drive the boat back to Dhipirri Lodge after being bandaged up, Isaac stayed beside the guide throughout the 40-minute trip to make sure he was okay.

Oliver, Misha, and Isaac Hammond on a Dhipirri Lodge fishing charter.

“We got him (back to the lodge) and did some more first aid,” Misha said.

“(Sean) had a beer – I think he earned it.

“Then he got driven in the boat across to Milingimbi to get to the medical centre.”

From there, Mr Fiumara was flown to Royal Darwin Hospital for further treatment, surgery, and recovery.

Misha said the fisho was a great guide who seemed more upset that one of his rods had fallen overboard during the attack, than the ordeal itself.

“He was happy he managed to save his hat and his sunglasses – it didn’t compute that there was a croc attack at first,” Misha said.

“We’re just really glad that Sean’s still with us.”

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Dhipirri Barra and Sportfishing Lodge fishing guide Greg Campbell said his Tuesday morning began like any other day – clients hopped aboard his boat, and he took them to some of East Arnhem’s best fishing spots.

But when his boat cruised back into radio range, news an attack on one of his colleagues left him stunned.

Fellow Dhipirri Lodge guide, Sean Fiumara, had taken Sydney family Misha Hammond and sons Oliver, 18, and Isaac, 14, to the Woolen River for a fishing charter.

“The guys on the boat didn’t see anything at that time, (Sean) just disappeared in the water,” Mr Campbell said.

“They heard a splash, and they went over and looked over the side, and could see the croc’s tail.”

After the attack, Mr Fiumara recounted the tale to Mr Campbell.

He told Mr Campbell that the bite felt like his right leg had been hit with a cricket bat.

Mr Fiumara said he could see the croc’s teeth embedded in his knee while underwater.

The experienced guide then tried to prise the 3.5m croc’s jaws open, but shredded his hands on the beast’s teeth.

“Just as it started to roll over – do the croc roll on him – it must have slipped or let go,” Mr Campbell said.
“(Sean) gave it a kick in the head with his other foot and popped to the surface.”

Fourteen-year-old Isaac was the first to reach over the boat and grab one of Mr Fiumara’s arms, before the rest of the crew came to help.

“They saved his life,” Mr Campbell said.

“They’re not the sort of people that are used to going around crocs either, so that was a big effort on their part.”

Once Mr Fiumara was safe he wrapped his leg in towels and bandages, and steered the boat back to the lodge.

Mr Campbell believes the same croc had previously approached the charter boats and described it as “a bit of a terrorist”.

A Dhipirri Lodge spokesperson said on social media that Mr Fiumara was recovering in Royal Darwin Hospital.

He had initially received care at Milingimbi Medical Clinic before being taken by CareFlight to RDH.

He is “in good spirits” despite the “freakish incident” that could have taken his life.

“Sean suffered damage to his right leg when pulled into the water from a standing position on the boat,” the spokesperson said.

“Only quick thinking on his part and with the assistance of his clients who lifted him out of the water saw him get out of danger.

Aboard a Dhipirri Barra and Sportfishing Lodge fishing tour.

“We are extremely grateful that Sean was not seriously injured and want to stress this was not the result of any negligence on his part.

“This incident is a sobering reminder of the dangerous nature of being in the habitat of crocodiles and that we need to be croc wise at all (times).”

Originally published as Dhipirri Lodge’s Sean Fiumara survives ‘freakish’ croc attack in East Arnhem