By Tatenda Chibika, ABC News
A crocodile swimming in a lagoon at Crocodylus Park located on the outskirts of the Northern Territory town of Darwin on 30 August, 2023. Photo: AFP / David Gray
A man is feared to have been attacked by a crocodile after failing to resurface from water in Cooktown.
Emergency services were called after a 40-year-old man entered the water and failed to resurface at the Annan River Bridge in Cooktown just after 2pm on Saturday.
Police confirmed they were called to a reported crocodile attack.
Officers said the man was fishing when he went missing, and they were confirming the identity of the man with his next of kin.
The Queensland Ambulance Service said paramedics were called to the scene near Mulligan Highway.
"Paramedics and emergency services are conducting a search for a male patient after a reported crocodile attack near Mulligan highway at 2.07pm," a statement on X said.
Police remained at the scene but ambulance services had since left.
In a statement, Queensland Police said: "A search operation has commenced in the Annan River, Cooktown, for a man who went missing while fishing earlier this afternoon, August 3.
"Emergency services were called to the Annan River Bridge at approximately 2.10pm, following reports a 40-year-old man from New South Wales had been taken by a crocodile.
"Initial investigations indicate the man had been fishing on the riverbank, when he fell into the water and failed to resurface.
"Queensland Police will be working alongside the Department of Environment and Science (DES) Wildlife Officers, who are assisting with the search.
"Investigations are ongoing."
