The shark thread was so much fun that I think we ought to talk about crocs aswell. Here is a story from an NT paper.
By ERIC TLOZEK and NIGEL ADLAM
01oct05
THIS is the man killed by a large saltwater crocodile while diving on the Cobourg Peninsula.
Russell Butel, 55, was one of the Territory's best-known divers. Crocodile expert Grahame Webb said yesterday the attack would have ``been over in seconds''.
Mr Butel was collecting fish and coral for his aquarium supply business near Vashon Head when the crocodile struck.
He died from a single bite to the head, an autopsy report said. Mr Butel, who had been diving for more than 30 years, is the second man to be killed by a crocodile in the Territory in five days.
Mine superintendent Russell Harris, 37, was killed while snorkelling at Groote Eylandt on Sunday.
Mr Butel's wife Loraine was yesterday being comforted by daughter Michelle.
Mr Butel was killed in Trepang Bay, where large salties are often seen, on Thursday morning.
His body was brought to Darwin yesterday.
Mr Butel's diving partner, Nick Sherwood, who was in a dinghy during the attack, was last night still in shock.
Dr Webb said the diver was probably on the surface of Trepang Bay when the saltwater croc heard him.
``It would have all been over in seconds,'' he told The Northern Territory News.
Police said they would not shoot the croc, which is estimated to be between 4m and 5m long.
Mr Butel ran a fishing and diving charter company in Nhulunbuy for years before moving to Darwin last year. He was the main supplier of fish and coral for Top End aquarium companies.
Colleagues said Mr Butel was a dedicated diver and influential in the industry.
``He was committed to developing the industry and had worked for it for a long time,'' aquarium fishery committee chairman Brian Koennecke said.
``Russell will be greatly missed by all of us.''
http://ntnews.news.com.au/common/story_ ... 69,00.html
