Teen killed in horrific crocodile attack in Queensland

A teenager has died after being attacked by a crocodile in Queensland's Far North.

The state's Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) said the body of a 16-year-old boy was retrieved yesterday afternoon at Saibai Island, having sustained fatal injuries "consistent with a crocodile attack."

It's understood the boy was attempting to swim to safety after the dinghy he was travelling in with a 13-year-old companion broke down. The younger boy was able to make it to shore, but the older boy did not return from the water.

Queensland Police said a formal identification process is underway to confirm the identity of the body, and "further testing is underway to confirm the cause of death", though they agreed with DESI in that it appeared a crocodile was responsible.

DESI said they believe the animal in question to be 3.5 metres in length.

"DESI extends its condolences to the family and friends of a teenager who died in waters off Saibai Island early yesterday morning," a spokesperson told media. "DESI wildlife officers have been assisting the Queensland Police Service in the response to this incident and have confirmed the boy suffered injuries consistent with a crocodile attack.

"Wildlife officers will survey the waters off Saibai Island by helicopter this afternoon in an attempt to locate the crocodile involved. The local community has requested the animal involved in the incident be removed from the wild."

Saibai Island is a small island located in the northwestern Torres Strait, around 140 kilometres from the northern tip of Cape York in Queensland and just four kilometres south from the Papua New Guinea mainland.

Police will address media with regard to the incident at 1pm AEST on Friday.

More to come.

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