SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

'Extremely lucky': bystanders rush to Barefoot Bushman's aid after croc attack

A crocodile handler known as the 'Barefoot Bushman' was seriously hurt after being mauled by a massive creature while feeding it at an Australian wildlife park Thursday.

Rob Bredl
Rob Bredl wrangles a crocodile. Source: Facebook

2 min read

Published

Source: AFP


Skip to article content

Rob Bredl, 66, was bitten by a 4.5-metre crocodile at Bredl's Wild Farm in Bloomsbury on Queensland state's central coast, the local ambulance service said.

He suffered a "severe laceration to his left hand and also some bite marks to his lower right leg", paramedic Heather Shields added.

"(He was) extremely lucky," Shields said. "He said that it was a fully grown adult crocodile about 4.5 metres long so he is very lucky.

"He said it happened on land. It was attempting to drag him to the water but he's got away before he was submerged at all."

Shields said there were "a lot of bystanders and tourists present" and they helped to staunch the bleeding before paramedics arrived. 

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Bredl was taken by helicopter to a nearby hospital in a serious but stable condition.

A Bredl's Wild Farm spokeswoman said Bredl, whose family own the park, was in "good spirits" despite the attack.

Crocodiles are common in Australia's tropical north. They kill an average of two people each year in Australia.

Bredl is widely known as the Barefoot Bushman due to his tendency to shun shoes even when dealing with crocodiles.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world