Naked fugitive rescued from Australia crocodile habitat after days on the run
- The man, who was free on bail after being charged with armed robbery, said he had been lost for four days and survived by eating snails
- He was taken to a hospital in Darwin, where he was placed under police guard as he was treated for exposure
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Kevin Joiner and Cam Faust found the naked man calling for help on Sunday afternoon while fishing near Darwin, according to local media.
Faust said the stranger – who was covered in mud, cuts and insect bites – had explained that he had been lost for four days and had used his clothes “for bits and pieces over the way.”
We thought he just must have had a big night after New Year’s … and done himself a mischief in the bush
“It didn’t make sense to us,” Faust told Nine Network television, referring to the explanation for his nudity.
“He had a nest made up in the tree, and he was only laying a metre (39 inches) above the water and there were crocs in the water so he has done well to survive,” Faust said.
Joiner said the friends hesitated before bringing the man on board.
“Once we’d seen how bad he was and how many cuts he had all over him and he was dehydrated and pretty weak, so we thought we’d better get him in the boat,” Joiner said.
“We thought he just must have had a big night after New Year’s and got lost and done himself a mischief in the bush,” Joiner added.
Faust said he stripped to his underwear and handed the man his shorts and a beer as the trio made their way back to Darwin.
“He looked like he needed a beer, although he was in a bad way,” Faust said.
An ambulance was waiting at a Darwin boat ramp when they arrived.
The man was taken to a Darwin hospital, where he was placed under police guard as he was treated for exposure.
His rescuers said he had told them he became lost while walking in the area and they were surprised by his alleged crimes.
“We were going to visit him in hospital, and then we found that out, and we thought, ‘we might give that one a miss’,” Faust said.
Northern Territory Northern Watch Commander Len Turner confirmed to the media that the man was wanted for armed robbery, among other offences.
“He was placed into custody and is now at Royal Darwin Hospital being treated for the harsh conditions that he subjected himself to,” Turner told newspaper NT News.
Additional reporting by Associated Press
