Queensland fisherman fought for life against crocodile

A North Queensland fisherman fought himself free from the jaws 4m crocodile on Wednesday by punching the reptile, The Courier Mail reported.

Todd Bairstow, a Rio Tinto bauxite mine worker, was snatched by the crocodile while fishing on the banks of Trunding Creek near Weipa on Cape York at 4pm Queensland time (7pm New Zealand time).

The 28-year-old told The Courier Mail the crocodile "out of nowhere" and clung to his leg for 40 minutes as he punched it, poked it in the eyes and attempted to pry its jaws apart.

A local heard Mr Bairstow's screams and leapt into the water to his aid.
"You can't imagine a more terrifying experience," his father told The Courier Mail.

"He fought for 40 minutes until he was saved.

"That's what he told us."

Both his legs were broken in the crocodile's death rolls and suffered extensive lower limb lacerations, cuts to his hands and dislocated joints.

He is reportedly in a stable condition at Cairns Base Hospital.