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Hunt on for killer croc
A LARGE scale hunt for the monster crocodile which killed an Eastwood man was underway in the remote Northern Territory of Australia yesterday as family and friends tried to come to terms with the tragedy.
Police there told the Advertiser that when the 14 foot killer is found it would be "relocated" away from human contact.
The dreadful death of Russell Harris sent shock waves from Eastwood to communities throughout Australia who are demanding the re-introduction of culls to reduce the number of saltwater crocodiles.
Numbers have swelled since a ban on killing them was introduced 30 years ago to prevent them becoming extinct.
Mr Harris (37), met his fate as he was snorkelling with a 33-year-old friend, as their wives watched from Picnic Beach.
A post mortem examination on Tuesday said that his death was consistent with a crocodile attack.
Mr Harris worked for the largest mining company in the world on the island of Groote Eylandt.
Mr Harris, 37, went missing off the island on Saturday.
His body was found the following morning about a mile north of where he was last seen - and near to where a 13ft saltwater crocodile had been spotted.
A spokesman for Northern Territory Police, Sue Bradley said the injuries indicated Mr Harris had died "as the result of a crocodile attack."
"It's a shocking tragedy," added Acting Senior Sergeant Stephen Pfitzner.
"There are a number of injuries on the deceased and also there was a saltwater crocodile sighted very close to where his body was located."
Mr Harris disappeared about 20 metres from the shore of Picnic Beach at 2pm on Saturday.
When he had not returned by 4pm, police were called and a night air and sea search over a 100 sq km area was launched.
Helicopters, jets and residents' vehicles were involved.
His body was found at about 7.30am on Sunday at the mouth of 8 Mile Creek.
Mr Harris's sister Georgina, 35, flew to Australia for a postmortem examination, which was carried out in Darwin. It concluded that Mr Harris died of multiple injuries consistent with a crocodile attack.
Mr Harris and his American wife Jennifer had been living in Groote Eylandt, in the Gulf of Carpentaria, for five months.
He worked on the island as a technical services superintendent at a magnesium mine for
Gemco, part of the Anglo-Australian mining group, BHP Billiton.
A spokesman for the company said their priority was to provide support for the family.
"Obviously everyone is extremely upset and traumatised. We have had grief counsellors over to the island to assist, and obviously it's a pretty shocking incident for them."
Picnic Beach is said to be ideal for swimming, snorkelling and spear-fishing, although there are warnings of crocodiles.
Saltwater crocodiles are protected by a hunting ban imposed in the 1970s, when it was feared they may become extinct.
They are now common in rivers and in the sea around northern Australia.
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Weather for Eastwood
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
