A 33-year-old man bitten in the head and neck by a saltwater crocodile while snorkeling off a remote island in North Queensland is recovering in the hospital
The Royal Flying Doctor Service was called to Lizard Island, about 250 kilometers north of Cairns on the Great Barrier Reef, late Wednesday afternoon
A spokesperson for the Department of Environment and Science said the man was allegedly bitten in Anchor Bay, off the island’s luxury resort, around 4 p.m.
« He was treated at the scene before being airlifted to Cairns hospital, where he is being treated for non-life threatening injuries, » the spokesperson said
The department said the manager of the Lizard Island Resort had offered two of his boats to help him with the search The resort has been contacted for comment
The man remained in stable condition Thursday afternoon, a spokesperson for the hospital and area health department said
Lizard Island is a known hotspot for crocodiles, with a team of wildlife officers heading there to try to find and remove the animal as part of the state’s management plan
The attack is probably the 37th in the state since 1985 – of which 11 have been fatal – and the first on the island in almost five years
In 2016, childhood friends Cindy Waldron and Leeann Mitchell were dragged from shore by 3m Crocodile to Thornton Beach in remote Daintree National Park Ms Waldron died of her injuries
This attack triggered a $ 5-8 million investment over three years from the state government for population surveys and management
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Cairns, far north Queensland, crocodiles, Lizard Island National Park
World news – UA – Snorkeller attacked by crocodile off the island of Far North Queensland
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
