Man lucky to be alive after overnight croc encounter at Newell Beach
CLOSE ENCOUNTER
A combination of shock and the will to avoid being instant Croc bait has helped a man enjoying a kip under the stars escape the clutches of a crocodile looking for a night time feed at Newell Beach.
Somewhere between 9pm – 10pm last night a 65 year-old male, asleep in a swag or sleeping bag on the sands of Newell Beach awoke to find a crocodile trying to bite his feet.
Newsport understands the man quickly fought off the crocodile before immediately presenting to Mossman Hospital with a foot injury. It's understood one of the crocodile's teeth became lodged in the man's foot, however, we have not been able to confirm this.
A CHHHS spokesperson confirmed with Newsport the man arrived at Mossman Hospital just after 10pm after sustaining injuries consistent with a crocodile bite.
The man was later discharged overnight after receiving treatment for his injuries.