Australia’s defence department charged after 2 soldiers mauled by crocodile
- The badly injured servicemen were hospitalised after escaping from the jaws of the reptile that attacked in 2021 when they went for a swim in northeastern Australia
- The department was charged with breaching federal work health and safety laws, and could be fined US$980,000, if found guilty
The two servicemen – a private and a corporal – were hospitalised after escaping from the jaws of the reptile, which attacked in August 2021 when they went for a swim in Cape York Peninsula in northeastern Australia.
The pair had been given permission to go fishing in an inflatable Zodiac boat in the remote region, about 750km (450 miles) north of the Queensland city of Cairns.
After anchoring the boat, they jumped into the water and were “almost immediately” attacked by the crocodile, said Australia’s work health and safety watchdog Comcare on Friday.
“The crocodile dragged one of the soldiers underwater and mauled him while his colleague fought off the animal, allowing the men to escape to the Zodiac,” the government body said.
Both soldiers were badly injured, suffering bite and claw wounds, and they were treated at Cairns Hospital.