Hunter saves girl from jaws of crocodile

A retired crocodile hunter saved a young girl from the jaws of one of the maneating reptiles by jumping on its back and gouging its eyes.

Eleven-year-old Hannah Thompson was swimming with other children in shallow water when the 10ft beast grabbed her by the arm.

Ray Turner dived in the moment he heard screams and the shout "Crocodile!" from passengers aboard his charter boat in Margaret Bay, Queensland.

He said: "I landed fair on its back and I got a finger in its left eye. I missed the right eye, but he got a fright and let go.

"They will always let go when when you go for an eye because it's their vulnerable point and their livelihood."

Officials in Australia said Hannah was in a stable condition in hospital and owed her life to Mr Turner's quick thinking.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service spokesman Mark Read said: "She was taken on board the vessel very, very smartly.

"She received lacerations and puncture wounds to her arm." Mr Turner said he hunted crocodiles in Papua New Guinea about 30 years ago.