Crocodiles

[William_H]

A little tale that might interest , if it hasn't already hit the UK news. Not boaty but close. A family were camping on the beach about 20 metres from the shore in North Queensland west coast. Thats the LH side of that peninsular top RHS of Oz. Its about as far from civilisation as you can get in that direction (a bit like the Faeroes to a Londoner only hot). Anyway said croc 600kg 3 metres, came out of the water and grabbed this guy's leg through the screen on the tent while he was asleep and proceded towards the water. Wife next to him grabbed the 3 month old child and screamed (as you can imagine) There was an older couple camped next to them, 60 year old 62kg granny(not his granny) raced out and leapt upon the crocs back. The croc let go the first victim and turned on the granny who had here arm almost severed. A third person arrived and put 6 slugs from a handgun into the crocs head to pacify him. First victim and granny are doing well in hospital with damaged limbs. I know you UK folks love stories of bities in OZ regards will

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[boatmike]

Yeah! Saw the photos over here in the press.
Always new those Aussie Shielas were big strong girls but a Croc wrestling grannie is awesome. Well done her!
Reminds me of my mother in law...... (the crocodile I mean)

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[Talbot]

Anyone messing in a salty's territiry is asking for trouble - have even heard of divers being attacked by them out at sea.

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[chas]

Pity there were no ozzie grannies around in Long John Silver's day.

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[longjohnsilver]

Whoa........

My day has yet to come!

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[pvb]

Crosses N Queensland off \"beaches to visit\" list!

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[Guest]

Post deleted by danfoley

 

[boatless]

Brian, you've got my vote for best post of the day, and it's only 9.15.

John

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[pvb]

An official spokesman commented...

"Strewth! That was a close one! The old gran's a real hero, she's been telling all the nurses about it, droning on like a blow-fly in a milk bottle. Still, don't let it put you off visiting our beautiful country, we welcome all tourists - no freckle punchers though. Must rush now, I've got a thirst you could flamin' photograph!"

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[dulcibella]

How's the crocodile doing?

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[chas]

Re: Whoa........

Just hope there is an oz granny there when it does!

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[catmandoo]

Well I and family had near escape in Ndumo park SA . We were on an aluminium boat on the salt pans with a local guide at the controls when we stopped at a weir for a little refreshment - Gand T's etc . At the bottom of the weir lying parallet to the weir was a large crocodile with its mouth open with several others lying on an adjacent island. (Nile crocodiles are pretty big) It was obviously ready to catch anything coming down the weir . After a while we got back into the boat and the guide started the engine and backed away to return home . Unfortunately the prop hit a rock and the current caught the boat and dragged us to lie across the U notch at the top of the weir with the water pressure holding the boat on . All immediately got off to the land and a few of us (including my son in law and I )stood in the knee deep water at the top of the dam to try to pull the boat off . Unfortunately the painter was only 6 feet long so we could not even get a purchase on the nearest tree . My wife called me to look over my shoulder and there about 4 metres away upstream was a pair of crocodile eyes just submerging . There was an immediate exodus . The guide also told us that we were also out of radio range and we were also aware that since it was dusk it was not safe to stay on land because of prowling lions who start hunting around that time . So with this in mind we went back and after a but of pushing and shoving with the guide in the water doing most of the work we finally managed to get the boat clear of the notch and then beat a hasty retreat bach to base where the local camp boss seemed remarkably disinterested in our narrow escape.
We learned afterwards that the camp had only just that week got permission to use a boat for tours on the salt pans - no life jackets by the way although I would hesitate to attract attention by blowing any whistles. Who would rescue us any way at night out of radio range kilometers from any habitation and only one boat in the area which was rife with hippos, crocodiles , lions and hyenas



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[Benbow]

Those Al boats kill a number of tourists in Africa every year. Some of the rift valley lakes are totally placid 99% of the time, but every now then amazing sqalls come through, viz falls to zero and big waves appear in shallow lakes, boats capsize and sink, tourists die. Because it is so calm and sunny when they set off, they never ask about lifejackets, comms, etc.

Me, I sit around waiting for the squalls to get my laser out.



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[catmandoo]

trouble is that when you go on one you dont really know where you are going or what the risks are . A major omission by the operators .

on the other hand in a nanny state you would not even be allowed to go

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