Scott Murray
Senior Member
People get very complacent up here regarding crocodiles and unfortunately things like this happens.
A 12-YEAR-OLD boy has had a miraculous escape after being grabbed by a 4m crocodile - only for his friend to be taken by the same reptile while swimming at Kakadu National Park.
Police and rangers search by spotlight. Picture: MICHEAL FRANCHI Source: NT News
Four children watched in horror as their 12-year-old friend was taken by the beast.
On nightfall, police and park rangers were spotlight searching the waterway for the missing boy - but there has been no sign of him.
Armed police search the water's edge. Picture: MICHAEL FRANCHI Source: NT News
The five children were playing in a billabong behind Mudginberri outstation, about 20km west of Jabiru, when the attack happened about 2pm Sunday - Australia Day.
One boy, 12, was bitten on the arm but managed to fight off the croc - sustaining deep wounds to his right arm and left elbow as he managed to escape.
The children then fled - but the croc turned around and took another 12-year-old boy.
A helicopter joins the search. Picture: MICHAEL FRANCHI Source: NT News
Police armed with rifles - alongside Parks Australia rangers in flatbed tinnies - scoured the river all afternoon and into the darkness for any sign of the boy or the crocodile.
Searchers also undertook the dangerous task of walking along the creek's edge - while a helicopter flew back and forth conducting aerial searches - until light faded.
As the thunder turned to rain at the scene, Jabiru police Sergeant Stephen Constable said there had been no signs of the boy.
Magela Creek, in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory. Images: NT NEWS/GOOGLE Source: Supplied
Police and park rangers planned to continue the hunt until 2am before beginning again at dawn, bolstered by reinforcements from Darwin.
"At first light we will be joined by Marine and Fisheries and TRG (Tactical Response Group) members as well," he said.
Sgt Constable said police had "shoot to kill" orders for any croc sighted over 3m long in a 2km stretch of the Magela Creek system.
Police prepare for the night search. Picture: MICHAEL FRANCHI Source: NT News
Sgt Constable said the boy who was taken was from Mudginberri community, while the other children were from neighbouring communities. Distraught community members called emergency services.
St John Ambulance treated the injured boy at the scene before taking him to the local health clinic with deep lacerations to his arms before releasing him to his family.
NT Parks and Wildlife croc catcher Tommy Nichols raced to the scene, which is about 200km east of Darwin.
The outstation of Mudginberri was deserted with everybody either at the medical clinic or out searching.
One resident brought trays of food to help keep energy levels high.
"I'm just helping out," she said. "Everybody is still in shock."
The incident comes a year after a teenager had a miraculous escape from a 5m saltie that lunged at him in the same area.
That attack also took place at Magela Creek - behind Mudginberri - on January 9.
Tourists do what they can to escape the floodwaters after their car became stranded while crossing Magela Creek, in 2011. They were rescued by police. Picture: NT POLICE Source: Supplied
Parks Australia spokeswoman Margot Marshall said there were several sign posts warning locals and tourists about crocodiles in the area.
"There is a sign at the public boat ramp going into this area and there are a number of signs at Magela Creek before you get into there.
"We have big croc warning signs with (pictures of) croc jaws and a big thing saying 'croc risk; do not swim here, do not enter'.
"Our croc manager talks to the community about being careful and about the number of crocodiles that are likely to be around.
"The croc manager tells them what the croc warnings are, to be careful, do not swim."
A 12-YEAR-OLD boy has had a miraculous escape after being grabbed by a 4m crocodile - only for his friend to be taken by the same reptile while swimming at Kakadu National Park.
Police and rangers search by spotlight. Picture: MICHEAL FRANCHI Source: NT News
Four children watched in horror as their 12-year-old friend was taken by the beast.
On nightfall, police and park rangers were spotlight searching the waterway for the missing boy - but there has been no sign of him.
Armed police search the water's edge. Picture: MICHAEL FRANCHI Source: NT News
The five children were playing in a billabong behind Mudginberri outstation, about 20km west of Jabiru, when the attack happened about 2pm Sunday - Australia Day.
One boy, 12, was bitten on the arm but managed to fight off the croc - sustaining deep wounds to his right arm and left elbow as he managed to escape.
The children then fled - but the croc turned around and took another 12-year-old boy.
A helicopter joins the search. Picture: MICHAEL FRANCHI Source: NT News
Police armed with rifles - alongside Parks Australia rangers in flatbed tinnies - scoured the river all afternoon and into the darkness for any sign of the boy or the crocodile.
Searchers also undertook the dangerous task of walking along the creek's edge - while a helicopter flew back and forth conducting aerial searches - until light faded.
As the thunder turned to rain at the scene, Jabiru police Sergeant Stephen Constable said there had been no signs of the boy.
Magela Creek, in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory. Images: NT NEWS/GOOGLE Source: Supplied
Police and park rangers planned to continue the hunt until 2am before beginning again at dawn, bolstered by reinforcements from Darwin.
"At first light we will be joined by Marine and Fisheries and TRG (Tactical Response Group) members as well," he said.
Sgt Constable said police had "shoot to kill" orders for any croc sighted over 3m long in a 2km stretch of the Magela Creek system.
Police prepare for the night search. Picture: MICHAEL FRANCHI Source: NT News
Sgt Constable said the boy who was taken was from Mudginberri community, while the other children were from neighbouring communities. Distraught community members called emergency services.
St John Ambulance treated the injured boy at the scene before taking him to the local health clinic with deep lacerations to his arms before releasing him to his family.
NT Parks and Wildlife croc catcher Tommy Nichols raced to the scene, which is about 200km east of Darwin.
The outstation of Mudginberri was deserted with everybody either at the medical clinic or out searching.
One resident brought trays of food to help keep energy levels high.
"I'm just helping out," she said. "Everybody is still in shock."
The incident comes a year after a teenager had a miraculous escape from a 5m saltie that lunged at him in the same area.
That attack also took place at Magela Creek - behind Mudginberri - on January 9.
Tourists do what they can to escape the floodwaters after their car became stranded while crossing Magela Creek, in 2011. They were rescued by police. Picture: NT POLICE Source: Supplied
Parks Australia spokeswoman Margot Marshall said there were several sign posts warning locals and tourists about crocodiles in the area.
"There is a sign at the public boat ramp going into this area and there are a number of signs at Magela Creek before you get into there.
"We have big croc warning signs with (pictures of) croc jaws and a big thing saying 'croc risk; do not swim here, do not enter'.
"Our croc manager talks to the community about being careful and about the number of crocodiles that are likely to be around.
"The croc manager tells them what the croc warnings are, to be careful, do not swim."