68-year-old Aussie woman survives croc attack, but loses lower right arm

A 68-year-old Australian woman lost the lower half of her right forearm after a large crocodile leapt from a creek and bit her on Wednesday. The victim survived the attack which happened when she rested on a creek bank after shopping in the town of Wyndham in Western Australia.

Associated Press reports that the reptile jumped a height of two metres out of water and grabbed the old woman from behind, according to Peter Carstairs, an officer of the WA Department of Parks and Wildlife. She was seen spotted by Paul Cavanagh, a local resident, walking with her right arm missing below the elbow.

Cavanagh, his nephew and son-in-law drover her to Wyndham District Hospital. Ironically, she initially refused help from motorists because the victim did not want to stain their cars with her blood, reports BBC.

On the same day, she was airlifted to the Royal Darwin Hospital for further treatment, according to Peter Cogan, spokesman of WA Country Health Service. The victim underwent surgery for the loss of the lower half of her right forearm and was treated for bite marks on her left thigh. She is now in a stable condition, according to the hospital spokesman.

Carstairs said that the 2.2-metre killer reptile that attacked the woman was captured and culled. Despite being threats to Aussies, crocodiles are increasing in number across the nation because the animal is classified as a protected species under a 1971 federal law.

“Because this crocodile attacked a person and was in an area used by people and pets, it was imperative that we removed it and we ensured that it was destroyed quickly and humanely,” adds Carstairs in a statement.