Crocodile Attack: Man Grabbed By Crocodile in Front of Horrified Birthday Crowd in Australia
A crocodile attack has taken place in Australia, with reports describing that a 26 year old man was grabbed by a crocodile in front of more than a dozen terrified onlookers.
The incident is reported to have happened in Australia's Northern Territory. The victim is said to have been swimming in a river when he was grabbed by the crocodile.
Officials from the region have not publicly identified the name in the immediate aftermath of the attack, but they have said that the man is believed to have ignored signs telling people to stay away from the water.
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The victim is believed to have wandered into the waters at a popular camping ground at Mary River Park, which is about 65 miles (100 km) from the state capital, Darwin.
The victim was apparently part of a crowd who were there celebrating a birthday. However, tragedy struck when the man was grabbed by a 5m long crocodile in front of horrified onlookers.
The river is well-known in the region for being populated with many crocodiles.
Despite warnings being placed prominently throughout the area to stay away from the river, officials have said that the victim and another man had ignored the warnings and gone swimming across the river.
They had apparently reached the other side and were swimming on their way back when the victim was grabbed by the large crocodile.
Senior Sergeant Geoff Bahnert from the Northern Territory Police Force has said, "Several of the group in the party witnessed the male being taken in the jaws of the croc for a period of time, and then he was out of sight."
He added, "The Mary River is known worldwide to have the greatest saturation of adult saltwater crocodiles in the world. You don't swim in the Mary River."
It has not been confirmed, but is believed to be the case, that alcohol may have had a part to play in the pair's decision to go swimming in the river.
Saltwater crocodiles are known to grow up to 7 meters in length, and can weigh over a ton. They are found in rivers, despite their name, and their population is most dense in the Northern Territory of Australia.
