Injured ranger reveals 'life or death response' to crocodile attack
A man saved himself from almost certain death by prodding the eyes of a crocodile after it attacked his leg, then drove himself an hour for help.
Off-duty wildlife ranger Craig Dickmann was flyfishing at Captain Billy Landing in Cape York Peninsula, a remote area in Far North Queensland, on Sunday afternoon when the 2.5 metre animal set on him.
The 54-year-old struggled to wrestle free from the crocodile’s jaws, which had latched onto his thigh, and was eventually released when he gauged it in the eye with his fingers, ABC News reported.
Despite Mr Dickmann’s right hand being de-gloved in the tussle, he got in the car and drove to his place of employment, the Heathlands Ranger Station, which is more than an hour away.
“This was a life or death response,” Queensland Ambulance Service Superintendent Warren Martin told the publication.
“The patient really understood the gravity of the situation and knew that he was fighting for his survival.”
Another ranger administered first aid at the station, before driving Mr Dickmann to Bramwell Station where he was flown by the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) to Cairns Hospital.
Station owner Wendy Kozicka said Mr Dickmann was in high spirits while waiting for his ride, and they even joked about whether or not he still had fingers beneath his bandages.
“There wouldn't be many people in Cape York who could say they have had an interaction with a crocodile like this and still be talking about it,” Superintendent Martin said.
Mr Dickmann is still in hospital and was expected to undergo surgery on Monday.
The fishing spot has been closed to the public as the Environmental Department investigates the incident.
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