Crocodile attack Qld: Reports Brisbane man flown to hospital after Haggerstone Island incident
A Brisbane man in his 50s is in hospital after reportedly being attacked by a crocodile while snorkelling with a tourist group in the state’s far north.
Emergency Services
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A 51-year-old man is in hospital following reports of a crocodile attack in the state’s far north.
Authorities were scrambling on Saturday night to confirm that the Brisbane man had been attacked following reports of an incident while he was snorkelling with a tourist group near Cape Grenville.
The man is believed to have suffered a serious injury to his hand and cuts and bruises to his face while in the water about 28km east of Haggerstone Island, according to Channel 9 reports.
The group were reportedly able to stop the bleeding and transport the man back to Haggerstone Island.
There he received treatment before being flown to Thursday Island by Retrieval Services Queensland, who had a Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service doctor on board.
Police, ambulance and the Department of Environment and Science were unable to confirm the attack on Saturday night, but the department was investigating, and a Queensland Health spokesman on Sunday said a 51-year-old man was at Thursday Island Hospital.
On Monday morning, a Cairns And Hinterland Hospital and Health Service spokesman confirmed the 51-year-old was in a stable condition.
Due to the extremely remote location, the Department of Environment and Science struggled to retrieve any local information on the attack as it wasn’t reported to them.
A spokesman confirmed the incident would be investigated but couldn’t substantiate
any details relating to the incident.
“The reports indicate a male tourist was bitten on the hand while snorkelling about 28km east of the island,” a statement from the DES said.
“Wildlife officers have commenced an investigation and will work with the people involved to obtain further information.
The statement said Haggerstone Island was known Croc Country and it was important everyone practised “crocwise” behaviour in those areas.
“Crocodiles in the open ocean can be difficult to locate as the animals often travel tens of kilometres per day,” the statement said.
“It is important that crocodile sightings and crocodile incidents are reported in a timely manner.
“We investigate all crocodile sighting reports that we receive.”
Haggerstone Island is an all-inclusive boutique resort situated on the Great Barrier Reef in far north Queensland.
It is the third attack in North Queensland in just eight weeks – the others involving the deaths of a fisherman and a dog – renewing the debate over crocodile culling.
In 2004, 11-year-old Hannah Thompson was rescued from the jaws of a three-metre crocodile at nearby Margaret Bay while she was with a group on a snorkelling excursion from Haggerstone Island.
The skipper of the boat, Ray Turner, dived off the vessel, landing on the back of the reptile before gouging one of its eyes until it freed the girl.
According to reports at the time, Mr Turner heard screams and a shout of “crocodile”.
``I was pitching myself off the boat and I could see the black shadow in the water. He came out when I was already launched and I landed right on him,’’ said the 57-year-old, who said he hunted crocs in Papua New Guinea more than 30 years before the attack.
``I landed fair on its back and I got a finger in its left eye.
``I missed the right eye, but he got a fright and he let go.
``They will always let go when you go for an eye, because it’s their vulnerable point and their livelihood.’’
Hannah suffered deep puncture wounds in her lower arm and was flown to Thursday Island hospital.
Ex-prime minister Bob Hawke even weighed into the extraordinary tale of survival, urging Hannah and her parents to sell their story.
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