A man from Australia suffered severe head injuries after a terrifying encounter with a large crocodile over the weekend in Queensland.
Marcus McGowan, his wife and some friends were snorkeling off the coast Cape York Saturday when they were attacked from behind. This was according to a release from McGowan by the Cairns Hinterland Health Service on Tuesday.
McGowan believed that the crocodile was a juvenile. Its jaws were around his head.
McGowan explained that he was able “to lever its jaws just far enough so I could get my head out.” The crocodile tried to bite my hand again, but I was able to push it off with my right. It bit the croc.
McGowan then was taken to Haggerstone Island, where his fireman friend administered first aid, until an emergency helicopter transported him to a hospital nearby. McGowan reported that he received treatment for lacerations on his scalp, as well as puncture injuries to his hand and head.
McGowan concluded that he had been in the wrong location at the wrong moment.
In his statement, he stated, “I am from the Gold Coast, a keen diver and surfer, and I understand that entering the marine environment is like entering the territory of potentially dangerous animals such as sharks or crocodiles.”
McGowan asked for privacy while he recovered.
According to the Australian Zoo , saltwater crocodiles native to Australia can grow to seven meters (more than 22 feet) in length. The Australian Zoo reports that saltwater crocodiles can grow up to seven meters, or more than 22 feet.
The zoo stated on its website that “they use the murkiness in the water to stay unseen, before ambushing and grabbing their prey with their powerful jaws. They then death-roll them back into water.”
The zoo stated that although the population of saltwater crocodiles has recovered after years poaching, it is still vulnerable in Queensland.
According to Queensland Department of Environment and Science, the last crocodile attack was also a non-fatal one around Cape York. The Queensland Department of Environment and Science has recorded attacks between December 1985 and March 2023. The last fatal attack was in February 2021.
The Queensland Government has committed to a program of crocodile control that will protect public safety and ensure the survival of estuarine-crocodiles.
