Cop dives to rescue in croc-infested waters
A CAIRNS police officer has been praised for his brave actions in jumping into croc infested waters to save the life of a drowning man.
Plain clothes Senior Constable John Dijkstra was on his way to another inquiry with two other officers on Sunday night when they saw a bus on Spence St, crash into Smiths Creek on Fearnley Street.
Turning around to investigate, they saw the 30-seater tourist bus quickly sinking and heard cries for help from the driver. Luckily there were no passengers.
Sen-Constable Dijkstra (above) quickly sprang to action, jumping into the water to assist the man while the two other officers stood watch on each side of the bank to keep a look out.
“He was definitely stuck, he was definitely in a panic and struggling for breath when we turned up,” Sen-Constable Dijkstra said.
“I tried to pull him out (from the cracked windscreen) the first time and he seemed to be stuck, but by the second attempt managed to get him free.
“But as a result got caught up in the mangroves and he was continually going under water.
“We managed to get him out and with assistance from the other officer and gave him some first aid.”
The 36-year-old man was taken to Cairns Hospital where he remains in a stable condition.
With a croc having been sighted in the creek as recently as last week, Sen-Constable Dijkstra said it was definitely a thought that had crossed his mind.
The sighting reported on September 17, had been forwarded to a contractor to target the animal for removal from the wild.
“Crocodiles have been observed there in the past but our number one priority was to get him out of the water and help him as best we can,” he said.
Investigations into the crash are ongoing.