Kakadu dad stabs, shoots crocodile to save nine-year-old boy

A Kakadu man jumped into the water to fight off a crocodile biting down on his son, before shooting the beast. Read the incredible story here.

Brandishing a knife and a rifle a Territory dad jumped into action after hearing the sickening crunch of a croc snapping down on his child.

Family of a Kakadu family have described how a nine-year-old boy was saved by a relative after being attacked by a crocodile on January 14.

The young boy was swimming in an area not accessible to the general public when he was attacked by the croc, leaving him with puncture wounds.

The young boy was swimming in an area not accessible to the general public in Kakadu National Park when he was attacked by the croc, leaving him with serious puncture wounds.

A family friend, Daniel Hall, said it was an act of heroics that saved the child’s life.

“A family member jumped in with knife to free the boy,” Mr Hall said.

“The hero family member jumped back on shore and grabbed the rifle and shot the croc.”

He said the boy’s father deserved a “bravery recognition”, but joked he would never accept it.

“Bush mob are shy,” Mr Hall said.

The young boy was raced to the Jabiru Community Health Centre, where he was flown into Darwin in a critical condition.

Last week, NT Health confirmed the nine-year-old boy had been discharged from hospital.

While relieved to hear the young croc-attack survivor was on the mend, Kakadu locals have questioned if enough has been done to manage their reptilian neighbours.

Kakadu National Park is home to about 10,000 crocodiles, and around 315 people according to the latest census.

This means for every one Territorian living in Kakadu, there are about 32 salties.

Kakadu National Park which is home to about 10,000 crocodiles, and around 315 people according to the latest census. Picture: Nakita Nia.

Mr Hall said he and other Kakadu residents had repeatedly raised concerns about crocodile management, particularly along the highway culverts.

Mr Hall said the croc attack occurred in a culvert on the side of the Arnhem highway, about 25km from Jabiru, however this is disputed by Parks Australia.

“I have warned Parks for the past four years that a large croc has taken residence there with babies,” Mr Hall said.

He said Kakadu Rangers had also raised concerned about dangerous interactions with locals.

“It actually got so bad that I caught young locals with the cops two years ago feeding the big girl,” he said.

Mr Hall said Rangers were “heartbroken that people aren’t listening”, while he was “very unhappy with the park management on many levels”.

The Territory Government has removed 50 saltwater crocodiles from local road culverts over the past five years, stating it recognised these were waterways where “people previously enjoyed a dip with friends”.

However, Kakadu National Park is managed by the Federal Government, which under the 2016-2026 Management Plan is responsible for “managing individual crocodiles in these and other locations that present a serious threat to human life”.

A Parks Australia spokeswoman said the crocodile attack did not occur near the Arnhem Highway.

“Park management has not received any reports about the area where the incident took place, which is not accessible to the public,” she said.

“Reports to Kakadu National Park management regarding the culvert on the side of the Arnhem Highway have already been addressed and managed.”

Over the past 12 months, Kakadu Park Rangers completed more than 2500 work hours in the field completing crocodile management activities.

This includes setting up warning signs, community engagement as well as surveying, trapping, and removing potentially dangerous crocodiles.

Originally published as Kakadu dad stabs, shoots crocodile to save nine-year-old boy