More than 100 beachgoers and 30 people in the water frantically searched for safety after a huge 16ft crocodile was spotted swimming off the coast.
One eyewitness, a man who worked at Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas, in Australia, described the reptile as “the biggest ever” they had seen and watched on as lifeguards tracked the animal's movements. Meanwhile other lifeguards raced to keep swimmers and sailors out of the water.
Lifeguard Arjan Wynbearg said: "We’ve done our best to warn people but it is a worry that some don’t understand or choose to ignore that advice. In some cases, they are simply not aware of the danger. It is not something they have experienced before.’’
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Lifeguard supervisor for North Queensland Dee Westland said at least the Lifeguard team were on duty to spot and track the large croc on Wednesday and alert the public. She said: “Our Lifeguards were approached by a very concerned member of the public when they came on duty at 9am on Friday, September 27.
“She had footage, taken that day just before 6am, of a 2.5 to 3m crocodile swimming just off shore - about 2m - in front of the Lifeguard hut heading south. Her worry was amplified by the fact that people were going in for a swim, not noticing the danger present in the water, which of course is very alarming."
She added: “A couple of things you should know about crocs are that they are most active at dusk and dawn and they will be more active from September to April. The water has warmed up and it coincides with breeding season.’’
