Huge crocodile stalking surfers at Darwin beach

Surfers at a popular beach in Darwin, Australia, are being warned to be vigilant after a number of people spotted a 2.5 metre crocodile in the water.

The saltwater croc was seen on Sunday at Nightcliff Beach, and people on the sand were screaming at surfers to get out of the water.

ABC reporter Mike Coggan was one of those surfers in the water at the time, and said the animal was 10 metres away from him.

He told abc.net.au: "Some people were actually screaming at the top of their lungs and I thought 'that's not good'.

"I could see the crocodile coming towards us.

"I could see its snout sticking out of the water, its head, and its tail swishing ... so I quickly screamed out to my friend James, and then put my head down and paddled in as fast as I could."

According to Yahoo News, he added: "It's a very real fact that there are crocodiles in the water and I'm aware of that every time I go surfing.

"But you sort of think if I was attacked by a crocodile I'd stick my thumbs in its eye or whatever to get myself out of the inevitable death roll, but at that time it was all about flight, not fight."

Wildlife ranger with the Crocodile Management Unit, Dani Best, confirmed the crocodile sighting in the surf, and said that it was not uncommon for them to be seen there.

She said: "All we can do is advise the public to be careful. People are entering the water at their own risk."

The news comes just days after a 12-year-old boy was eaten by a crocodile while swimming in an Australian river.

The boy was swimming with friends at the Mudginberri Billabong, 20 kilometres west of Jabiru, and 200 kilometres east of Darwin, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

NT Police Acting Commander Michael White told Yahoo News: "It is believed the 12-year-old boy was taken by a crocodile as he and a number of other young boys were swimming in the billabong.

"One other boy, also aged 12, was bitten on the arm by the crocodile and received medical treatment from attending St John Ambulance members."

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