Croc 'launched itself into tinny with jaws open' in 'frightening' ordeal for fisherman
A crocodile launched itself into a fisherman's tinny with its jaws open in a "frightening" ordeal, wildlife bosses say.
The man had to "jump" over the croc to reach the engine to flee, they say.
The creature then toppled over, damaging the boat with its weight.
READ MORE: Deputy mayor's plea over 'I love you' graffiti
Saltwater crocodile leap out of the water in a river in Queensland Australia Getty Images/iStockphoto
The animal leapt from the water and into the boat at Jane Creek near St Helen's Beach, north of Mackay on New Year's Eve.
The terrifying report was made to The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) which is investigating.
READ MORE: 'Trevor' the tiger shark filmed near swimmers at Perth beach
The incident was reported by a member of the public, and the fisherman was found the next day, and revealed what happened.
"The crocodile was not in the tinnie for too long," senior wildlife officer Jane Burns said.
"This would have been a frightening incident for the fisherman who we are told is a long-term local who has fished in Jane Creek for decades.
"The man said he had been fishing around four hours and when he saw the large crocodile approaching the boat, he moved to the back of the vessel and started the engine.
READ MORE: 'Hundreds and hundreds' of power poles blitzed in ferocious Queensland storms
"The crocodile swum under the tinnie, then turned and launched itself up and into the vessel with its jaws wide open.
"The man then jumped the crocodile to get to the bow of the tinnie and retrieve the anchor, and the crocodile pivoted, over-balanced and fell into the water, bending the rails of the tinnie.
"He told us he had never seen such a large crocodile behaving that way in the region before."
READ MORE: The GDP of a small country: Taylor Swift's Australian tour in numbers
Teams have gone out to search for the croc to assess its behaviour.
If it is deemed a problem it will be captured.
Authorities warned people to "avoid complacency around waterways,"
Report sightings on the QWildlife app, the DES website or on 1300 130 372.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
