Wife watches croc take husband

A 57-year-old man is dead after he went into a crocodile-infested river in the Northern Territory to unsnag his fishing line and was attacked by one of the reptiles as his wife looked on.

The attack occurred at the Adelaide River, about 60 kilometres from Darwin. Police say the man’s wife witnessed the attack and ran for help.

“Police and wildlife officers searched the river using multiple boats and located and shot a 4.5-metre crocodile a few hours later.

The man’s body was recovered late on Monday night.

Adelaide River is a well-known crocodile hot spot that draws tourists who go on cruises to watch the huge reptiles.

There are signs in the area warning that crocodiles are present and dangerous.

Operations manager at St John Ambulance Craig Garraway said staff were called and treated the man’s wife for shock but she wanted to remain at the scene. A report is being prepared for the coroner.

Crocodile attacks in Nothern Territory this year:

January: A 12-year-old boy attacked and killed at a billabong at Cooinda in Kakadu.

June: Fisherman Bill Scott, 62, taken from a boat in Kakadu.

August: Biological remains found in a crocodile after a man goes missing on Melville Island in a suspected attack.

August: Man fishing on Adelaide River taken in front of wife.