Man saved from croc shot in error

By Phil Mercer
BBC News, Sydney

The crocodile seized the man's arm and shook him

A man has been accidentally shot by a rescuer who was trying to free him from the jaws of a crocodile in northern Australia.

The victim, in his late 20s, was attacked by the reptile near a popular tourist spot on the Mary River south-east of Darwin.

He was flown to hospital by helicopter for emergency surgery for bite and bullet wounds.

He is currently in a stable condition in hospital.

Two shots

Crocodile attacks and shootings are rare in Australia.

To suffer both at once is - to say the least - unfortunate.

Jason Grant was collecting crocodile eggs at a remote reptile farm when he found himself locked inside a giant set of jaws.

For a few terrifying moments the animal wildly shook its victim before the intervention of a fellow worker.

He fired two shots at the saltwater crocodile. One hit the target, while the other struck the arm of his stricken colleague.

It was enough though to bring the drama to an end.

The injured man was flown to hospital in Darwin, where he is recovering.