VIa – DAILY MAIL
Woman cruise ship worker, 23, hauled to safety by passenger after crocodile latches on to her legs
Miss Hawkes, from the town of Busselton – close to where fatal shark-attack victim Peter Kurmann came from – is an employee on the cruise ship True North, a popular vessel among wealthy tourists.
Police said the luxury vessel had pulled into Dugong Bay with its rich passengers when Miss Hawkes decided to go for a paddle in the nearby pool.
The saltwater crocodile, which can live in sea water and a mixture of salt and freshwater at river mouths, grabbed her by her legs, causing what are believed to be severe lacerations and deep puncture wounds.
After being pulled from the water she was later flown by helicopter – which the ship carries on its own launch pad – to a hospital in the small town of Derby. From there she was expected to be flown by plane to a major hospital in Perth.
Miss Hawkes has posted a striking sunset picture of True North on her Facebook page – a shot which also shows the vessel’s helicopter.
The ship, which can carry 36 passengers, has a staff of 20.
It was purpose-built to take tourists to remote wilderness areas – but the adventures come at a cost. A seven-night trip to the north west region known as the Kimberleys can cost up to £10,000 a person.
Mr Peter Carstairs, from Western Australia’s Department of the Environment and Conservation, said Miss Hawkes was taking a swim in a fresh water pool in an area known for crocodiles.
‘It was not far from the salt water area and…”
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2124005/Tara-Hawkes-crocodile-attack-Cruise-ship-worker-23-hauled-safety-passenger.html#ixzz1r0Pcd6oN
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