'Dared' teen nearly loses arm to crocodile
A teenager who is lucky to still have his arm after being mauled by a crocodile in far north Queensland was "dared" to jump into the predator infested river.
The 18-year-old man was attacked in the Johnstone River just before 2.30am on Sunday after leaping from the esplanade wharf in the heart of Innisfail.
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.
The teenager was lucky to walk away with all his limbs after he was mauled by a croc in far north Queensland. Source: AAP
Mr 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.
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"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."
Brenton Gangemi, owner of local wildlife cruises 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.
Mr 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.
In May 2016 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.
- With AAP.
