Soldiers return to duty

Army responds to Cape York croc attack incident

A PAIR of “incredibly naive” soldiers who were attacked by a crocodile while swimming in a notorious waterway have returned to active duty after their reptile assailant was shot in the head.

The men, 20 and 32, barely escaped alive after being mauled by a 2.5m crocodile while swimming a kilometre off the Lockhart River coast in Cape York early last month.

The younger man endured critical wounds to his upper body, head and arms, while the older soldier, who wrested the croc’s jaws open to save his mate, also suffered injuries.

Wildlife officers captured and euthanised the crocodile but Defence has not revealed whether the soldiers were reprimanded for their actions.

However, changes are being considered in how the army operates in the area.

“The incident occurred while a landing craft from the Australian Army’s 10th Force Support Battalion was stopped for the evening on their travels from Darwin to Townsville as part of a routine maintenance task,” a Defence spokeswoman confirmed.

“Two soldiers went for a swim and were subsequently attacked and injured by a crocodile.

“Defence’s standard operating procedures are currently under review in light of this incident.

“Both soldiers sustained injuries but are safe and well and have been released from hospital. Both soldiers are still serving in the Army and back at work.

“Due to the Privacy Act, Defence is unable to provide further details on the individuals involved.”

The men were described as “incredibly naive” and “victims of their own ignorance” by The Temple Cape York guesthouse owner Jayson Watkin, who brought them to shore in his tinny after the attack.

He said they were fortunate their attacker was a “little fella” rather than the 4m-long monsters that inhabit the area.

“They almost paid the ultimate price,” he said at the time.

Queensland law states humane euthanisation should consist of “total destruction of brain function” either by a captive bolt pistol – otherwise known as stunbolt gun – or bullet directly to the brain, or by “instantaneously severing the spine behind the head and immediately inserting a rod into the brain (pithing)”.