The goanna latched on to the man’s right arm and leg, and then bit the woman’s leg.
‘The man suffered a very serious laceration and possible fracture of his right forearm as well as severe bleeding from his leg wound,’ RACQ CQ Rescue said.
He was airlifted by a rescue helicopter to Mackay Base Hospital, while his wife was taken to Proserpine Hospital for treatment.
Rescuers have described the incident as a ‘horrific and freak ordeal’.