Boy, 12, taken by crocodile in Australia (Video)

A four-meter-long crocodile took a 12-year-old boy seriously mauled his friend, after the pair went swimming with friends in a water hole in northern Australia’s Kakadu National Park, a major tourist attraction for the region yesterday.

The saltwater crocodile first attacked one of the four boys that were swimming together, but the boy managed to fight off the animal while sustaining serious wounds to his arms.

Moments later, another of the 12-year-olds was attacked and disappeared under the water. The child is presumed dead.

The incident happened near Jabiru, close to Darwin, in the Northern Territory on Sunday. The crocodile is believed to have been at least three metres long.

Ranger have shot two large crocodiles today but neither are believed to have been the one responsible for the attack.

Police and park rangers are carrying out a search and rescue operation for the boy.
“It is believed the 12-year-old boy was taken by a crocodile as he and a number of other young boys were swimming in the billabong,” said Acting Commander Michael White of the Northern Command police.

“One other boy, also aged 12, was bitten on the arm by the crocodile and has received medical treatment from attending St John Ambulance members”.

“Police and Park Rangers are currently conducting searches by boat and land and will continue into the night”.

Agencies/Canadajournal