Archer Point: Investigators find no sign of 4.5m croc after man’s lucky escape

Investigators have found no sign of the 4.5m crocodile in the days after a spear fisherman’s lucky escape.

The crocodile responsible for a horrific attack on a spear fisherman at a remote beach has eluded investigators in the days since.

On Saturday afternoon, a man in his 40s was bitten three times and dragged below the surface while fishing at Archer Point, near Cooktown, in Far North Queensland.

He was able to escape by jabbing his fingers into the 4.5m beast’s eyes, Queensland Ambulance critical care flight paramedic Valerie Noble said after the incident.

“He’s an extremely lucky man, not many people would live to tell the story like that,” she told the Courier Mail after flying the man to Cairns hospital.

“It has bitten him three times and dragged him to the bottom where he has managed to, according to him, stick his fingers in the crocodiles eyes multiple times and escape.”

The victim arrived at the Cairns Base Hospital on Rescue 510 helicopter, the attack took place at Archer Point south of Cooktown in North Queensland on Saturday afternoon. Picture: Supplied.

He was able to swim to shore, with friends raising the alarm.

Rescue crews arrived later the same afternoon and winched the man to safety before a helicopter took him to hospital.

According to the Queensland Ambulance, the man suffered lacerations to his head, shoulders, and legs, and is in a stable condition in hospital.

Wildlife officers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service arrived in Archer Point the following day to commence an investigation.

Since then, water searches involving Yuku Baja Muliku rangers and Traditional Owners have failed to find a trace of the crocodile, with no further reported sightings.

Archer Point campgrounds near Cooktown in North Queensland Picture: Facebook.

A Queensland Department of Environment and Science spokesman said, on Monday, the investigations will continue.

“DES investigates all crocodile sighting reports that it receives,” he said.

“Archer Point is known croc country. Remember, you are responsible for your own safety in croc country.”

The incident the same week a 65-year-old man was bitten while sleeping at Newell Beach near Port Douglas on April 4.

He received treatment for a injuries to his legs and was discharged the following day.

Following the incident, the Queensland governments said it was a “timely reminder” for people to be “crocwise”.

Data from the Queensland Department of Environment and Science reveals there have been eight reported attacks between 2020 and March 2023 – seven of which were non-fatal.