Crocodile attacks man in Katherine, NT

THE man who survived a brutal crocodile attack while camping at Palm Creek is hoping to be released from hospital today.

Peter Rowsell was attacked by a crocodile at Palm Creek

A YOUNG man is lucky to be alive after he survived a crocodile attack in the Douglas Daly region of the Top End, north of Katherine.

Peter Rowsell, 19, was attacked by a saltwater crocodile at Palm Creek.

A spokesperson for the Northern Territory Health Department told news.com.au the man was dragged out of his tent for 15m by the right foot, where he had been camping with his family near a creek, around 4.30am.

Peter Rowsell, 19, was attacked by a crocodile at Palm Creek.

His sister drove him to Katherine Hospital, which was over two hours away, where he remains in stable condition.

The man is being treated with IV antibiotics to prevent infection, and is expected to be released from hospital today.

Katherine Mayor Fay Miller has called for a “controlled cull” of crocodiles, following previous sightings at two popular swimming spots in the area.

She said the sightings made her feel “physically sick”, particularly as she had taken two of her grandchildren to one hotspot – at Bitter Springs in Elsey National Park – just days before a 2-metre crocodile sighting was reported.

“We do have to live with crocs because this is their environment as well, but we don’t need to live with them dangerously,” she said.