Dingo attacks man on Fraser Island

A GERMAN tourist has suffered serious injuries during an attack by a dingo on Fraser Island.

A GERMAN tourist has suffered serious injuries during an attack by a dingo on Fraser Island.

Rangers on the popular tourist destination have increased their patrols following the attack on the 23-year-old near the K'Gari campground, in the centre of the island, on Friday night.

Department of National Parks regional manager Ross Belcher said the man suffered serious injuries to his legs, arms and head, but they were not life-threatening.

The attack happened after the man fell asleep on a track.

He reportedly had become disorientated after leaving a well-lit campground.

He was with a tour group staying at the K'Gari Education Centre, north of Happy Valley.

A spokesman for the AGL Action Rescue Helicopter, which airlifted the man from the island about 9am, said he suffered bite and puncture wounds.

He was treated at the scene by the rescue helicopter's intensive-care flight paramedic and airlifted to Hervey Bay Hospital in a stable condition.

Mr Belcher said the incident served as a reminder that dingoes were wild animals and needed to be treated as such.

"The way to avoid such incidents is for all people to follow the department's dingo safety messages," he said.

"NPRSR will continue to work to ensure the strong messages about dingo safety are provided to all visitors to Fraser Island."

Originally published as Dingo attacks man on Fraser Island