Soldiers seriously mauled in far north Queensland croc attack

Mr O’Sullivan said a nearby army medic applied “vital” first aid, including a tourniquet stem the bleeding of the more seriously injured man.

It is not known how many Defence personnel were at the scene, but they were able to call for help and use a dinghy to travel the kilometre back to shore. From there, a helicopter called in from Horn Island in the Torres Strait dropped the injured men at the Lockhart River airport.

“Lucky boys,” said one man familiar with the area. “They shouldn’t be swimming there. It’s a hotspot and everyone at Portland Roads knows that.”

In 2015, a 33-year-old spearfisherman went missing, presumed taken by a crocodile, at the same location.

Portland Roads is a small fishing and tourism village with only a handful of permanent residents.

Defence would not provide information other than to confirm the injured men were soldiers with the Army.

“Our immediate focus is on providing the necessary medical treatment for the soldiers involved, and supporting their families who have been informed,” it said in a statement.

“The incident is under investigation, as such, Defence will not provide any further detail.”

Source: | This article originally belongs to smh.com.au

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