Fisherman Battles Crocodile in Harrowing Survival Story

A fisherman in Australia survived a brutal attack from an eleven-foot crocodile by using his small dog as a weapon in a desperate struggle for survival. Todd Bairstow, then 28 years old, faced a life-threatening ordeal at Trunding Creek near Weipa on the Cape York Peninsula in 2011, as the reptile clamped down on his leg and subjected him to a series of devastating death rolls.

The incident began when Bairstow had just set up for an evening of fishing. He recalled the moment of the attack during an interview on SBS Insight: “I got out of my car, I found a clearing there, put my beer on the ground, taken my lure off my rod, and I’ve taken about two steps and then — bang! Something’s grabbed me on my left leg from behind.” Initially mistaking the grab for a prank, he soon realized he was ensnared by a crocodile.

As the crocodile attempted to drag him into the creek, Bairstow fought back fiercely, clinging to mangrove roots and trying to free himself. He described the horrifying moment when the crocodile executed a death roll, which is a common tactic used by crocodiles to incapacitate their prey. “He’s done the death roll. This leg’s popped out like a matchstick. I heard it go crack,” Bairstow recounted, detailing his injuries that included a dislocated left leg and severe bites.

Bairstow’s dog, witnessing the attack, began barking frantically. In a remarkable display of instinct and desperation, Bairstow took his dog and started hitting the crocodile on the head. “I grabbed him and I’ve just started hitting the crocodile on the head with him, thinking maybe he might let go of me and take him,” he said. The struggle continued for over thirty minutes, during which Bairstow sustained significant injuries, including the loss of a finger.

Just as hope seemed to dwindle, Bairstow’s cries for help were heard by a friend, Kevin Beven, who was nearby at the Albatross Pub. A woman had stepped outside for a cigarette when she noticed the commotion and alerted others. Beven rushed to Bairstow’s side, asking urgently, “Where’s the croc?” Bairstow responded, “It’s on my f***ing legs!”

Beven quickly found a stick and began striking the crocodile, which ultimately released Bairstow. After being pulled to safety, Bairstow was airlifted to Cairns Base Hospital for immediate medical attention, where he underwent multiple surgeries to treat his injuries from the highly infectious bites.

Weeks later, the crocodile responsible for the attack was captured and identified, bringing some closure to the traumatic event. Bairstow’s harrowing experience highlights not only the dangers of crocodile-infested waters but also the extraordinary lengths individuals will go to in order to survive.

This story serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of wildlife encounters and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of life-threatening challenges.