Fishermen swim for their lives as boat capsizes on croc-infested river

A Queensland fisherman says his mates have been telling him to buy a Lotto ticket after he took a swim in croc-infested waters and lived to tell the tale.

Proserpine River has the highest volume of crocodiles in the area, making it the go-to place for spotting crocodiles in the wild, but definitely not a recommended swimming spot. File photo

A Proserpine father and son are thankful to be alive after a Monday afternoon fishing trip turned into a desperate escape from croc-infested waters.

Albert Withers took his 25-year-old son Brayden and mate Connor Redshaw out on his 5x5 metre reef boat just after lunch on June 28, and before they had even had a chance to drop a line in, the three men were fighting for their lives in the middle of an infamous saltwater crocodile habitat.

Mr Withers is not sure how his boat – aptly named ‘Shiver’ – capsized on the Proserpine River, near Flying Fox Islands, but suspects it had something to do with a faulty trim tab.

Brayden Withers on the boat before it capsized. Picture: Supplied

Regardless of how it happened, it meant the crew spent about half an hour sitting on the upturned hull in the middle of the river, contemplating how they were going to get to safety without phones, radios or safety signalling devices.

That thinking time quickly ran out as the boat began to sink, and the men were forced to enter the water, bruised and bloodied from knocks from the boat, and with more than 300 metres between them and the safety of the shore.

Mr Withers said instinct kicked in and all he could think about was survival.

“I’ve seen quite a number of large crocs on that river,” he said.

“Knowing what was in there, and that there was blood in the water, it was very intimidating getting into that water, but we had no other option.”

The men swam slowly and as quietly as possible to avoid attracting attention.

Albert Withers is still not sure what went wrong with his boat ‘Shiver,’ which remains submerged in Proserpine River. Picture: Supplied

“Adrenaline, hearts racing we pushed on the incoming tide slowly reaching the land – with the thought in the back of our minds one of us could be taken by a croc at any minute – one by one we reached the bank, exhausted,” was how Brayden described it.

The ordeal was not over once they had completed their death-defying swim.

The trio then spent the next three and a half hours trudging through the mangroves seeking rescue.

That came in the form of a man named Bill Fudge, who picked them up and took them back to the boat ramp, where they were able to contact their loved ones via Facebook on borrowed mobile phones.

From there, it was off to hospital for treatment of injuries including broken toes and various cuts and strains.

Brayden Withers has sworn off fishing the Proserpine River after an ordeal that ended in hospital. Picture: Supplied

Safely back at home, in a shoulder brace, Mr Withers said his son and Mr Redshaw had sworn off fishing in the Proserpine River for life, but he was not going to let the incident hold him back.

What might, however, is that his boat is still sitting at the bottom of the river, waiting to be salvaged – whatever is left of it.

“I’d still go back – I’ve spent a fair bit of time on that river over the years,” Mr Withers said.

“It does play on your mind a bit, but at least we’ve ended up with our lives,” he said.

“Everything else can be replaced, but you can’t replace a life.”

Proserpine fisherman Albert Withers suffered shoulder injuries when his boat capsized in croc-infested waters. Picture: Supplied