Rescue crews said they believe the man startled the crocodile when he attempted to get to a small waterfall in a remote national park, 230km north of Mount Isa.
The man, aged in his 40s, told rescuers he put up a fight, wrestling the two-to-three-metre crocodile until it released him.
“As you can imagine, a two to three-metre croc grabbing you by the arm is going to create some pretty significant injuries, which is what he had,” RACQ AirCrew officer Greig Allan told Today.
Allan told Today the man’s colleagues made the rescue team’s job easier performing first aid and getting the man to a nearby airstrip so he could quickly be flown out of the area.
Breaking free may have saved his life, but it did not happen without creating further injuries.
“He had lacerations to his arm and he managed to wrestle himself free with his one good hand but in doing so created a whole lot of other injuries, puncture wounds to both his hands,” he said.
“As he left, the croc had a little nip at his leg, just for good measure.”
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The man was flown to hospital where Allan said he remains in a stable but serious condition.
Allan said this was one of the more unusual rescues he has encountered in his time with RACQ.
“I think since I’ve been in Australia, everything is pretty unusual when it comes to wildlife,” the Scottish native said.
