Spearfisherman mauled by a 4.5metre long crocodile shoved his fingers into the animal’s eyes in order to break free – as he’s airlifted to hospital with multiple bite wounds to his head and body

  • Man bitten by a crocodile in far north Queensland 
  • Freed himself by poking the beast in the eyes 
  • Suffered injuries but now in ‘good spirits’ in hospital 

By Danyal Hussain For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 15:47 BST, 8 April 2023 | Updated: 15:48 BST, 8 April 2023

A spearfisherman who was mauled by a four-and-a-half-metre long crocodile in far north Queensland shoved his fingers into the animal’s eyes to break free of its grip. 

The 44-year-old was attacked by the croc while he was swimming at Archer Point, about 20km south of Cooktown on the Cape York Peninsula, at about 1.30pm on Saturday.

Incredibly, despite being bitten three times and dragged below the water’s surface, he managed to free himself by gouging the croc’s eyes repeatedly. 

He then swam to nearby rocks before rescue teams winched him to safety and a helicopter flew him to Cairns hospital. 

A 44-year-old was airlifted to hospital after being mauled by a massive crocodile in far north Queensland on Saturday

A 44-year-old was airlifted to hospital after being mauled by a massive crocodile in far north Queensland on Saturday 

Valerie Noble of Queensland Ambulance Service said the man had been swimming with a group of six mates who managed to apply first aid before emergency services arrived.

‘(The croc) has bitten him three times and dragged him to the bottom,’ Ms Noble told reporters.

‘He’s managed to – according to him – stick his fingers in the crocodile’s eyes multiple times and escape before swimming towards the shore.’

The spearfisher suffered multiple fractures, as well as severe injuries to his head, abdomen and leg. 

‘He’s an extremely lucky man, not many people would live to tell a story like that,’ Ms Noble added.

Despite his ordeal, the man is said to be in good spirits and in a stable condition.  

The Queensland Department of Environment and Science will now investigate the attack and confirm if the crocodile is still in the area.

Incredibly, despite being bitten three times and dragged into the water, the man managed to free himself by poking the croc's eyes repeatedly (stock image)

Incredibly, despite being bitten three times and dragged into the water, the man managed to free himself by poking the croc's eyes repeatedly (stock image)

Incredibly, despite being bitten three times and dragged into the water, the man managed to free himself by poking the croc’s eyes repeatedly (stock image)

The incident comes just days after a 65-year-old man was bitten while sleeping at Newell Beach near Port Douglas on April 4.

He received treatment for a minor injury to his legs and was discharged the following day.

Following the incident, the Queensland governments said it was a ‘timely reminder’ for people to be ‘crocwise’.

Data from the Queensland Department of Environment and Science, which records and investigates all crocodile reports, reveals there have been eight reported attacks between 2020 and March 2023.

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