Saltwater croc killed after attack at Wangi Falls, Litchfield National Park

Rangers have confirmed a 2.4m male saltwater crocodile has been killed after a Litchfield swimming hole attack that left a mauled man in hospital. Here’s the latest.

Rangers have confirmed the saltie involved in a “terrifying” attack at Wangi Falls has been killed.

A 2.4m male saltwater crocodile was euthanised at Wangi Falls overnight.

Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security director of northern Australian parks Dean McAdam said the falls remained closed while surveys would be undertaken prior to reopening.

“We work hard to reduce the risk of crocodiles in the management zones, however there is always the chance they can move into an area undetected,” he said

“Public safety is our key priority, so please obey all closures and do not enter the water while we are completing the crocodile surveys.”

The 67-year-old man who was bitten on the arm remains in Royal Darwin Hospital in a stable condition.

Rangers have confirmed a saltwater crocodile was involved in the Wangi Falls attack, estimated to be 2m long. Picture: Damian Duffy

The Litchfield National Park site, about an hour south of Darwin, is popular with tourists during the dry season, with many flocking to the waters over the holiday period.

An Environment, Parks and Water Security Department spokeswoman said an off-duty nurse helped the man after the attack and St John NT crews were on their way.

However a St John NT spokeswoman said crews did not respond to the incident as Batchelor Health Clinic staff transported the man from the area.

A witness has described the moment people screamed and fled as the man was attacked.

Taneka Starr was visiting from Tasmania and swimming with about 80 other people in the falls when she heard the commotion.

The off-duty police officer said she had seen one crocodile in the water but other people had seen two.

Wangi Falls was full of people on July 10, when a man was attacked by a crocodile. Picture: Darren Dans

“He saw the croc and warned another man which diverted the croc back to him,” she said.

“People on the viewing platform were screaming at us to get out of the water, which we all did.

“My family and children were swimming in the water when people started yelling … we formed a circle together to make sure we all made it out of the water safely as a group, especially the children.

“(It was) terrifying.”

Ms Starr said the man suffered scratches and an “open flesh wound” on his arm.

She said the man was “in shock” but was ”downplaying it” because his grandkids were with him.

Ms Starr estimated the croc was about 3m but couldn’t say if it was a freshie or saltie.

Wangi Falls has closed to the public less than a month after it was opened for the Dry season.

It comes just days after popular thermal swimming spot Bitter Springs was closed because of a croc sighting.

This year alone at least four crocodile attacks have been reported, including a teenager bitten on the leg while escaping floodwaters.

A 19-year-old fought a 5.4m saltie on Groote Eylandt and lived to tell the tale, while a worker at a popular crocodile enclosure was bitten on the arm while working.

According to the crocodile management team, 166 crocodiles have been pulled from NT waterways this year, including a 3.4m saltwater croc from Wangi Falls in January.

A 4.5m beast was also captured from the Elizabeth River boat ramp in June.

In 2014 a Russian tourist was attacked by a freshwater croc and in 2019 two swimmers were “nipped” while swimming in Wangi Falls.

Originally published as Saltwater croc killed after attack at Wangi Falls, Litchfield National Park