Crocodile Attack: Police Recovers Australian Man’s Body [VIDEOS]

The body of 26-year-old Sean Cole, who was attacked by a crocodile, was recovered by police in Australia's Northern Territory. A saltwater crocodile suddenly snatched Mr Cole while he was swimming across a muddy river.

At least 15 people saw the horrible scene on Aug. 24. Officials from the Northern Territory said his body was found on Monday, Aug. 26, near the area where Mr Cole has been last spotted. Police senior constable Wade Rogers said the police force sent regards to the family in their time of grief.

Witnesses who were in the area said the crocodile was almost five metres long and was seen swimming upriver with Mr Cole's body clamped tightly inside it jaws. Mr Cole had just been celebrating the 30^th birthday of his friend at the Mary River Wilderness Retreat.

The river had one of the highest number of saltwater crocodiles in the world. Swimmers are discouraged to cross the river because of the high risk of crocodile attacks.

According to the Northern Territory News, a recent survey revealed four crocodiles measuring four metres near the river while. Ten or twelve crocodiles were believed to be more than three metres.

Four crocodiles have been shot, according to Parks and Wildlife Ranger Tom Nichols, including the one that may have attacked the swimmer. Mr Nichols said that they usually kill crocodiles near the area that may become threats to humans. He also said autopsies on crocodiles were normally done to give the grieving family closure after a loved one is involved in a crocodile attack.

Saltwater crocodiles are common in the tropical north of Australia and they usually weigh more than a tonne and grow to be seven metres long.

Other deadly crocodile attacks in Australia

In Dec. 2012, a 4-metre crocodile snatched a 9-year-old boy while he was swimming in the Northern Territory. Just a month after the crocodile attack, a 7-year-old girl was reported missing while also swimming near the area.

Since the 1970s, saltwater crocodiles were protected. As the population continued to grow, so did the human encounters. Efforts to protect the crocodiles were a success as there are now just as many crocodiles as the number of people in Darwin, according to the Australia's Parks and Wildlife Commission in the Northern Territory.