Man feared taken by crocodile found alive after 19 hours
UPDATE at 1:00 PM | A MAN who was feared to have been eaten by a crocodile after vanishing in Far North Queensland overnight has been found alive following a frantic 19-hour search.
The 60-year-old disappeared while setting crab pots in a crocodile infested creek at Portsmith, in Cairns, late on Wednesday afternoon.
Following a intense search and rescue operation, the man was found alive by searchers in a boat just before midday on Thursday.
Police said the man had become disorientated and became lost in the mangroves along Chinaman Creek.
Suffering from dehydration and being exposed to the elements, the man has been taken to the Cairns Hospital for assessment.
BREAKING: He’s been found. Alive! Heli crews delivered the news that The search for a 60-year-old Cairns man who was missing in a crocodile infested creek is over after he was spotted alive. His condition isn’t known yet but he has spoken to family on the phone. #goodnews pic.twitter.com/flwyVHPtzW
— Mark Rigby (@Mark__Rigby) April 12, 2018
EARLIER on THURSDAY: THERE are growing fears this morning that a man missing from Cairns may have been eaten by a crocodile.
A massive search is underway for the 60-year-old man who disappeared while setting up crab pots in a tidal creek at Portsmith late on Wednesday afternoon.
Police said the 60-year-old was last seen at his workplace on Redden Street around 5pm and had told his family and colleagues that he was heading to the creek immediately after work.
After failing to return home, the man’s family became concerned and contacted his work colleagues who in turn set out in search for the 60-year-old, but he could not be found.
Police were alerted of the situation late last night and commenced a search of the area at first light this morning.
Dozens of officers and SES personnel are conducting a search and rescue operation in a tidal mangrove south of Redden Street.
Air and ground searches will be launched for a missing man feared to have been taken by a crocodile after placing crab pots in mangroves in #Cairns https://t.co/LyzBscpdLK pic.twitter.com/wVeBjLHXqR
— Cairns Post (@TheCairnsPost) April 12, 2018
They are being assisted by a helicopter search team and officers from other agencies.
The missing man is described as being Caucasian with a proportionate build, fair complexion and greying hair.
He was last seen wearing a blue high visibility work shirt with blue trousers and tan coloured work boots.
If you have information for Police, please contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using their online form 24 hours per day.
You can also report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24 hours per day. Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation.
