Perth man survives fall and croc threat

A Perth man is praising mobile phone technology and local emergency services after falling from rocks while fishing on the Lower Ord River last Saturday.

Andrew Waru-Clark visits Kununurra every dry season and was fishing for barramundi from one of his favourite spots near Lyons Park when he fell from rocks at around 4.30pm.

“I was casting a net for bait and I stood up on the rocks to throw the cast net and then I fell over backwards down the rock,” he said.

Mr Waru-Clark injured his back in the fall and spent almost three hours unable to move and in pain, while he waited for help, with a saltwater crocodile lurking in the water nearby.

He was able to phone for help with his mobile phone, which he doesn’t normally take with him while fishing.

“It was just lucky that I had my mobile on me and I rang a friend of mine who knows where the spot is and he came down and assessed it and then he rang the SES and ambulance,” Mr Waru-Clark said.

Because of the location of the fall and his suspected spinal injury, State Emergency Service and ambulance officers had to use a boat to rescue Mr Waru- Clark, working in darkness to stretcher him out.

Mr Waru-Clark spent the night in hospital and is now recovering from his injuries.

“I’m so grateful to the SES and the ambulance and to my friend Mitch who helped me,” he said.