Crocodile shot dead after NSW man taken during fishing trip

Authorities have shot and killed a crocodile believed to be responsible for an attack on a NSW man taken during a fishing trip with his family in far north Queensland.

Emergency services were called to Annan River Bridge near Cooktown on Saturday afternoon following reports a 40-year-old man had been attacked by a crocodile. The river is a notorious location for crocodile spotting.

It is believed the NSW man had been fishing on the riverbank when he fell into the water and was “taken by a crocodile”, Queensland Police said. He had been travelling with his wife and children.

Cooktown is located about 320 kilometres by road, or a four-hour drive, north of Cairns in Queensland’s far north.

The Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation said in a statement on Monday that the crocodile suspected to be responsible for the attack had been found and euthanised.

A crocodile near the Annan River bridge.

During a helicopter search the crocodile was found in a small creek about 4km upstream from where the man was taken, the department said.

The crocodile had distinct markings on its snout consistent with those on the animal involved in the attack.

The animal will be handed over to the Queensland Police Service as part of its investigation after it is removed from the creek.

The area of the Annan River near where the man went missing is known by locals as “crocodile bend”. Several locals told this masthead the section of the river is an almost guaranteed crocodile watching spot.

The boat ramp below the Annan River bridge.Credit: Google Maps

Riverbend Tours Cooktown operator Nick Davidson runs boat tours of the Endeavour River. He said locals will often throw road kill and dead fish from the bridge which gets snapped up by a resident crocodile.

“It’s a truly frightening situation, it’s the stuff of nightmares … it’s definitely rocked the town,” he said.

Davidson said the resident crocodile has been spotted by locals for decades and could be as old as 60.

Earlier, the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation said in a statement that the “target animal” has a “distinctive marking on its snout”.

“Wildlife officers are conducting intensive surveys of the Annan River today by vessel and with the use of drones. Wildlife officers are also assisting police in a search of the river by helicopter,” the statement said.

The man’s family have been provided accommodation in town while the search for him continues.

Senior Sergeant Greg Finucane, officer-in-charge of Cooktown police station, said that a large crocodile had been seen in the area.

“Condolences go to the family who are obviously very traumatised at the moment,” he said.

With AAP and Marissa Calligeros

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