A fishing trip in the Australian wetlands ended in tragedy when a fisherman was attacked and devoured by two crocodiles.
On Saturday, April 29, a 65-year-old hotel owner from Queensland, Australia, was reported missing. The remains of the victim, Kevin Darmody, were found after an unfortunate encounter with crocodiles at Kennedy’s Bend. The saltwater river, situated in Lakefield National Park, is famous for its abundant barramundi fish but is also home to aggressive crocodiles.
Darmody went missing around 3:30 pm during the fishing expedition. Although his friends did not witness the attack, they heard cries and a loud splash before he disappeared. Following a comprehensive two-day search, wildlife officers euthanized two crocodiles on Monday, May 1, less than a mile from where Darmody was last seen. Autopsies confirmed that Darmody’s remains were inside the stomachs of both crocodiles.
Investigators believe that Darmody was near the water’s edge, attempting to collect a catch when one or both crocodiles ambushed him. His shoes were later found on the riverbank.
Known as “Stumpy” due to his short height, Darmody owned the Peninsula Hotel in Laura, Queensland. His friend, Bart Harrison, characterized him as a sociable and outgoing person. Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott remembered Darmody as a unique individual with a strong spirit and a love for fishing.
Michael Joyce, a wildlife operations manager at the Department of Environment and Science, stated that although rare, crocodiles have been known to consume human remains in the past. Crocodile attacks in Northern Australia are uncommon, with Darmody’s death marking the 13th fatal incident since 1985. The crocodile population in Queensland has increased from 5,000 to 30,000 due to a hunting ban implemented in 1974.
Though infrequent, several alligator or crocodile attacks have recently occurred in the US. In February 2023, a Fort Pierce, Florida woman was attacked and killed by an alligator while attempting to save her dog near a pond. The dog survived the attack.
In March 2023, a Daytona Beach, Florida man was attacked by an alligator that appeared at his front door.
In April 2023, a 72-year-old man in Florida lost his right leg below the knee in an alligator attack. The alligator was later discovered with a human foot protruding from its mouth.
In August 2022, a victim in Hilton Head, South Carolina, fell into a pond and was attacked by a massive alligator. The alligator was found guarding the victim’s body, which was retrieved when the alligator was confronted.
