Man missing after croc attack

BRISBANE - A search has resumed this morning for a man missing after a crocodile capsized his canoe on Queensland's Cape York Peninsula.

The 60-year-old Townsville man was fishing with his wife at Midway Waterhole on Normanby River, north west of Cooktown, about 5.30pm (7.30pm NZT) yesterday when a large crocodile overturned their small boat.

The woman swam ashore and drove for 20 minutes to alert staff at Lakefield National Park's ranger station, police said.

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) rangers combed the area, but there was no sign of the man.

Queensland environment minister Desley Boyle today said it looked like the crocodile had approached the canoe, rocked it and then attacked the man.

"There was some kind of 'interaction' with a paddle and the croc, and then the canoe capsized," Ms Boyle told ABC radio.

"The couple fell into the water, the woman managed to get to the bank but the man hasn't been seen since."

A search of the waterway resumed at first light today, and includes a crocodile expert from the NPWS, Queensland police, a Queensland Rescue helicopter and National Parks boats.

A police spokeswoman said it was impossible to say how long the search would take.

- AAP