A man has been killed after he slipped from a riverbank and was dragged underwater by a crocodile in front of his family.
The man, aged in his 40s, was fishing at Crocodile Bend near Cooktown, Queensland, when he slipped into the water, The Courier Mail reports.
His wife and children have been left ‘traumatised’ after watching the attack, 7News reports.
The family were believed to have been on a caravan trip when they stopped near the Annan River Bridge.
Police have confirmed they are searching near the Annan River Bridge.
The Queensland Department for Environment confirmed rangers had ‘humanely euthanised’ a large crocodile, previously nicknamed ‘Crocodile Bend’ believed to be responsible for the attack.
Locals confirmed the crocodile lived off roadkill which was thrown into the river for it to ear.
Senior conservation officer Daniel Guymer said: ‘Any information and evidence in relation to alleged illegal activities, such as the unlawful feeding of a crocodile at that location, they will be investigated by our wildlife officers.’
He added: ‘The family are obviously very traumatised at the moment.’
The department said: ‘The crocodile was located in a small creek during a helicopter search on 5 August 2024 around four kilometres upstream of the incident location.
‘The animal had markings on its snout that were consistent with it being the target animal.
‘Wildlife officers are removing the animal from the creek and will hand it over to the Queensland Police Service.’
The location is a popular fishing spot but is also a well known as a crocodile habitat.
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