Ranger described horrifying moment croc dragged man into river by the leg

A ranger who witnessed the terrifying attack has described the moment a big crocodile launched out of the water and sunk his jaw into the man’s leg.

A ranger who witnessed a horror croc attack in Far North Queensland has described the moment the beast launched out of the water at the man and his dog.

The 37-year-old was believed to have been travelling around the state and clearly missed local warnings of increased croc activity in the region.

He had taken his dog down to the Bloomfield boat ramp – 60km south of Cooktown – to have a drink of water when the croc attacked about 5.30pm on Wednesday.

Jabalbina Aboriginal community general manager Josh Paterson told the Courier Mail one of his rangers was first on the scene to provide first aid.

The man was dragged into the water by the croc. Picture: QLD Ambulance

“The croc grabbed the man by the leg and dragged him in but he managed to get away from its grip and the dog also got away,” Mr Paterson said.

“She is obviously pretty shook up about the whole thing.”

Queensland Ambulance says he was flown by rescue helicopter to Cairns for treatment. He is reportedly in a stable condition.

A warning was issued in early January after a large crocodile was spotted in the area.

“Be careful near the boat ramp and surrounds. There is a crocodile there!,” the Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council posted on its Facebook site.

Later that month, WWASC member Regan Kulka posted a video to Facebook to alert locals of a large croc that had been spotted near another boat ramp.

A croc was spotted near the river bank in the area last month. Picture: Facebook

“Big boy at the boat ramp in Wujal Wujal,” he wrote in the caption.

The croc can be seen skulking just below the surface of the river within metres of the river bank.

“See that croc everyone, beware of your children because he is hanging around here,” she said.

Originally published as Ranger described horrifying moment croc dragged man into river by the leg