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Urgent search for man feared taken by croc

Croc in the lilies
A large search is underway after fellow campers fear a man was taken by a crocodile in remote far north Queensland, after they heard a piercing scream near the water. Picture: Getty

The search for a man feared taken by a crocodile has entered its second day, after he was reported missing on Saturday evening.

The fisherman was camping at the Kennedy Bend on Kennedy River at Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park in remote Far North Queensland when he disappeared.

Police say the 65-year-old man lived in the rural town of Laura, about 75km from where he was last known to be.

Lakefield crocodile attack
Queensland Police released images of the search site. Picture: Queensland Police

Emergency services were called to the campsite at about 3.30pm on Saturday afternoon following reports the man had gone missing.

The Department of Environment and Science (DES), who are assisting police say the man’s friend said the 65-year-old was “fishing on the banks of the Kennedy River when there were splashing noises and he disappeared”.

crocodile search
The 65-year-old went missing around the Kennedy Bend camping area. Picture: Queensland Department of Environment and Science

Queensland police said the search recommenced at first light on Sunday morning, with help from the State Emergency Service, a Rescue 510 helicopter are also aiding the search and rescue operation and wildlife officers from the DES.

According to a government website detailing the campground, “large crocodiles are frequently” seen in the area.

On Sunday afternoon, police released images of the search site, but had no further update about the man’s whereabouts.

Lakefield crocodile attack
Police will continue searching the area. Picture: Queensland Police

The Department says both estuarine and freshwater crocodiles can “inhabit the rivers, creeks swamps, wetlands, waterholes and along beaches” of the national park.

The DES said it was important that all “crocodile sightings are reported in a timely manner,” and said they investigated all crocodile sightings received.