ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Real Life

Aussie bloke survives CROC ATTACK by gouging 2.8m beast in the eyes

The snap of its jaws 'will haunt me forever' - by Warren Barnsley, 7News
  • 18 Nov 2019
Aussie bloke survives CROC ATTACK by gouging 2.8m beast in the eyes
7News/Getty

Craig Dickmann was bloodied and in extreme pain as he sat on top of a crocodile with his only working hand clenched around its snout.

His mind raced as he wondered how he would get out of this one.

"I think both the croc and I had a moment where we were going, 'well, what do we do now?'" Dickmann told 7NEWS.

The Queensland ranger had gone fishing at Captain Billy Landing, a remote area on Cape York.

As he decided to call it a day, he reeled in and turned around.

"The first thing I see is this croc's head just come at me," he said.

"I didn't hear it. I didn't know it was there.

"The thing had come up on the side of the rock platform behind me, out of vision, and was stalking me from behind on dry land."

The snap of its jaws "will haunt me forever", Dickmann said.

"It was quicker than your mind can register," he said.

It bit him on the front of the left thigh. He "tussled" with the 2.8 metre beast and was flung to the ground.

Far North ranger tells of survival story after wrestling croc

He felt the "bulletproof" reptile try to move him into the water, before Dickmann noticed a vulnerability.

"The only soft spot I found was its eye socket," he said.

He went at it with his thumb. It death-rolled before biting him again on the wrist.

"As it's grabbed me, I'm trying with the eyeballs again," he said.

"I'm getting closer to the edge of the water. It's done another death roll.

"As it's rolled, it's ripped all the flesh off the top of my hand."

He went at the eyeball yet again.

"My thoughts were, 'I'm going to try and push it into its brain'," Dickmann said.

"I pushed it down as far as my thumb would go.

"It let go."

'The first thing I see is this croc's head just come at me.'

He rolled on top of the croc and pinned its jaws.

The croc went for the water, dragging Dickmann "as if I wasn't there".

He picked up its snout as high as he could and flicked the croc down.

It slid into the water.

A "very thankful" Dickmann knows how lucky he is.

The bite narrowly missed the femoral artery in his thigh, and he has full use in his hand despite having the skin ripped off it.

It remains heavily bandaged.

"It could have been a lot, lot worse," he said.

"People keep telling me to buy a lotto ticket but I think I've used all those points up."

This story was first published on 7News and has been re-published here with permission. 

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

Horrifying discovery made inside 4.7m CROCODILE'S stomach

Horrifying discovery made inside 4.7m CROCODILE'S stomach

Aussie mum’s horror: I was trapped underwater with deadly crocs

Aussie mum’s horror: I was trapped underwater with deadly crocs

Trapped in croc-infested water for FOUR days

Trapped in croc-infested water for FOUR days

I turn people into art!

I turn people into art!

{headline}

{headline}

Holly the heart hero

Holly the heart hero

30-year heartbreak  - who killed Kerry Turner?

30-year heartbreak - who killed Kerry Turner?

My runny nose was cancer

My runny nose was cancer

{headline}

{headline}

I was paralysed at the beach

I was paralysed at the beach

Horror at the servo - I was abducted and raped

Horror at the servo - I was abducted and raped

My husband forgot I was his wife so we wed twice

My husband forgot I was his wife so we wed twice

Empty nesters... so we adopted SEVEN kids!

Empty nesters... so we adopted SEVEN kids!

Back from the brink!

Back from the brink!

A cockatoo proposed to me!

A cockatoo proposed to me!

Brave Ellie - 420 days in hospital for a new heart!

Brave Ellie - 420 days in hospital for a new heart!

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to That's Life!