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Crocodile grabs Australian woman during night swim | Crocodile grabs Australian woman during night swim |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A woman is feared dead after a crocodile attack in Australia's Daintree National Park. | A woman is feared dead after a crocodile attack in Australia's Daintree National Park. |
The woman, named locally as Cindy Waldron, 46, from Lithgow in New South Wales, was reportedly swimming with a friend on Sunday evening at Thornton Beach near Cairns in north Queensland. | |
She was in waist-deep water when she was attacked, media reports said. | She was in waist-deep water when she was attacked, media reports said. |
The last fatal attack in the area occurred in 2009, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corp. | The last fatal attack in the area occurred in 2009, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corp. |
"We would hold grave fears for the welfare of the woman," police spokesman Russell Parker said. | "We would hold grave fears for the welfare of the woman," police spokesman Russell Parker said. |
"Her 47-year-old friend tried to grab her and drag her to safety and she just wasn't able to do that. | "Her 47-year-old friend tried to grab her and drag her to safety and she just wasn't able to do that. |
"[The friend] then ran to a nearby business and raised the alarm, and from that point police and other authorities were advised. | "[The friend] then ran to a nearby business and raised the alarm, and from that point police and other authorities were advised. |
"They had been walking along the beach and they've decided to go for a swim just in waist-deep water at Thornton Beach and probably a very nice, clear night, but obviously may not have been aware of the dangers." | "They had been walking along the beach and they've decided to go for a swim just in waist-deep water at Thornton Beach and probably a very nice, clear night, but obviously may not have been aware of the dangers." |
Nine News reported that witnesses heard the woman yell: "A croc's got me, a croc's got me." | Nine News reported that witnesses heard the woman yell: "A croc's got me, a croc's got me." |
Neil Noble, of the Queensland state ambulance service, said a 5m (16ft) crocodile had been reported recently in the area. | |
A search for the missing woman, helped by a rescue helicopter, resumed on Monday. A local cafe is being used as a command post by the search team. | |
The woman's friend is being treated for grazes and shock. | |
'An avoidable tragedy' | 'An avoidable tragedy' |
Residents told Australian media that the area was a known crocodile habitat. | Residents told Australian media that the area was a known crocodile habitat. |
And local MP Warren Entsch said the area was popular with crocodile-spotting tours and there were many warning signs. | |
"This is a tragedy but it was avoidable," he told reporters. | |
"If you go in swimming at 10 o'clock at night, you're going to get consumed." | |
Crocodiles are common in Australia's tropical north and kill an average of two people each year, according to AFP news agency. | Crocodiles are common in Australia's tropical north and kill an average of two people each year, according to AFP news agency. |