This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/mar/19/teenager-attacked-by-crocodile-during-early-morning-swim-in-queensland-river
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Teenager attacked by crocodile after 'he was dared to jump' in Queensland river | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A teenager is undergoing surgery to his arm after being bitten by a crocodile in a far north Queensland river he reportedly entered on a dare. | |
| The 18-year-old jumped from the wharf on the Innisfail esplanade into the Johnstone River just before 2.30am on Sunday and was attacked by the reptile. | |
| He was taken to Innisfail hospital then Cairns, where he is being treated for significant injuries to his arm and hand. | |
| Cairns senior operations supervisor Rita Kelly said the crocodile was not seen before the incident but the man’s injuries indicated he had been attacked by one. | Cairns senior operations supervisor Rita Kelly said the crocodile was not seen before the incident but the man’s injuries indicated he had been attacked by one. |
| Queensland paramedic Neil Noble said it was initially reported the man had lost his arm to the crocodile but first responders found it was just very badly injured. | Queensland paramedic Neil Noble said it was initially reported the man had lost his arm to the crocodile but first responders found it was just very badly injured. |
| “Hopefully surgeons can help him and restore full use of his arm,” he said. | “Hopefully surgeons can help him and restore full use of his arm,” he said. |
| Noble said it was believed the man jumped in the river as part of a dare and had to be rescued by friends. | Noble said it was believed the man jumped in the river as part of a dare and had to be rescued by friends. |
| “Reports from the scene are he was dared to jump into the water, which he did and unfortunately that area is well known for its crocodile population,” he said. | “Reports from the scene are he was dared to jump into the water, which he did and unfortunately that area is well known for its crocodile population,” he said. |
| “We’re just very grateful that he’s survived this incident because it could have turned out to be quite fatal. | “We’re just very grateful that he’s survived this incident because it could have turned out to be quite fatal. |
| “Certainly to get out the water was absolutely vital in case that crocodile was able to get a good grip on him and do the death roll and then drown him.” | “Certainly to get out the water was absolutely vital in case that crocodile was able to get a good grip on him and do the death roll and then drown him.” |
| Brenton Gangemi, the owner of the local wildlife cruises business Snapping Tours, said he believed the culprit croc was a three-and-a-half to four-metre male saltwater crocodile that had been frequenting the area recently. | Brenton Gangemi, the owner of the local wildlife cruises business Snapping Tours, said he believed the culprit croc was a three-and-a-half to four-metre male saltwater crocodile that had been frequenting the area recently. |
| Gangemi said the man could also have been attacked by a bull shark as they were common in the river. | Gangemi said the man could also have been attacked by a bull shark as they were common in the river. |
| Saltwater crocodiles are one of Australia’s most dangerous land animals and have been responsible for eight confirmed fatal attacks in Queensland since 1985. | Saltwater crocodiles are one of Australia’s most dangerous land animals and have been responsible for eight confirmed fatal attacks in Queensland since 1985. |
| In May 2016 the New Zealand-born photographer Cindy Waldron died after she was dragged under water by a 4.3m saltwater crocodile while walking with a friend at Thornton Beach, north of Cairns. | In May 2016 the New Zealand-born photographer Cindy Waldron died after she was dragged under water by a 4.3m saltwater crocodile while walking with a friend at Thornton Beach, north of Cairns. |