A Cape York local who came to the aid of two soldiers mauled by a crocodile in Queensland’s far north says he can’t fathom why the pair decided to go for a swim.
Jayson Watkins was enjoying a beer on his verandah in Portland Road when he received a call from local police at 5pm on Friday after reports of a crocodile attack right on his doorstep.
Police were unable to render immediate assistance from Lockhart River, 45 kilometres away, so Mr Watkins took his tinny to the victims’ army vessel anchored in the bay.
“It was a very striking vessel. It’s not the sort of average thing you see. It was like a 1960s-built Vietnam-type riverboat,” he told AAP.
“The big landing dock at the front was down and I could see all the frantic activity on deck, the medical officers running around trying to apply bandages and administer pain relief.
“The two blokes were obviously in shock. Apart from the horrific injuries, they were very clearly in shock.
“It’s everything you’d think when you look at the injuries. It was definitely broken bones because you got to remember the jaw pressure per square inch from a crocodile’s insane.”
He transported the pair through rough and windy conditions to the boat ramp where they were taken via rescue chopper to Lockhart Airport.
Mr Watkins said he had no hesitation in venturing out to help.
“I hope that someone would render me the same assistance – we’re all human beings – we’re all on this planet to survive harmoniously. I mean, if I can help, I’m going to help,” he said.
As a local of seven years, Mr Watkins has heard his fair share of crocodile attacks in the region but has never come this close to an incident.Â
Clear warnings are in place for visitors to Cape York and the dangers posed by crocodiles in the surrounding waters and mangroves.
“Most people that come up to Cape are aware to be croc-wise, but for some reason these fellows just chose to ignore all the warnings and went for a dip … and almost paid the ultimate price,” Mr Watkins said.
“You’ve got to be very careful if you’re going to get in the water up here, especially on the coasts because it’s a good hunting ground for crocodiles, so you’re basically stepping straight onto the dinner plate.”
Both victims are now stable in Cairns Hospital after a rescue that spanned about seven hours and covered 700km.
AAP
