Woman snatched by crocodile on night swim in Australia

A tourist has been snatched by a crocodile during a night swim in Australia.

Cindy Waldron, 46, from Lithgow in New South Wales, was swimming with a friend in shallow water at Thornton Beach in the World Heritage-listed Daintree National Park, Queensland, when the terrifying incident occurred.

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The woman was pulled under the water at around 10.30pm on Sunday night, and her friend tried in vain to pull her to safety but could not help her, reports the Metro.

According to the Telegraph, Senior Constable Russell Parker said: "They decided to take a swim in the ocean just in waist-deep water and at that point, we believe that a crocodile has taken one of the women, taken hold of her.

"Her friend tried valiantly to drag her to the shore but unfortunately wasn't able to do so and the woman subsequently disappeared."

The victim's friend is being treated for grazes and shock at a nearby hospital.

Neil Noble, from the Queensland Ambulance Service, said the 47-year-old woman had a graze on her arm believed to be from the crocodile.

He told ABC News: "They felt a nudge and her partner started to scream and then was dragged into the water."

He said a local expert had reported seeing a five-metre crocodile in the area in the past few weeks, adding: The whole of Cairns and up into the Cape is known for its large crocodiles.

"Certainly one has to be very careful around our waterways. Stay well away from the water when you can, especially when you can't see."


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