A Townsville man has shared a heart-stopping video capturing the precise moment a large crocodile launched itself from the water towards him during what was supposed to be a peaceful morning run.
A Terrifying Encounter on a Familiar Path
Ross Moloney, a local resident, was jogging along a familiar track at Alligator Creek, south of Townsville, early on Tuesday morning. The area is known for its natural beauty but also for its resident crocodile population. As he approached a section of the path near the water's edge, a sudden, powerful splash shattered the morning calm.
In a split-second reaction, Moloney pointed his phone towards the source of the noise. The footage shows a substantial crocodile, estimated to be around three metres in length, propelling its entire body out of the creek in a forceful lunge. The reptile's jaws are visibly open as it targets the bank mere metres from where Moloney was standing.
"It Was a Full-Body Lunge": The Runner's Reaction
Speaking about the harrowing experience, Moloney described the crocodile's movement as a deliberate and aggressive act. "It wasn't just a head coming out of the water, it was a full-body lunge onto the bank," he recounted. The sheer power and speed of the animal left him in no doubt about the danger he had faced.
Despite the shock, Moloney's instincts and awareness of his environment likely played a crucial role. He emphasised that he always scans the water when running in crocodile country, a habit that may have given him the vital extra second to react. After the lunge, the crocodile retreated back into the murky water, leaving a shaken but unharmed runner on the path.
A Stark Reminder of Crocodile Safety in North Queensland
This dramatic incident serves as a powerful reminder of the ever-present danger posed by crocodiles in Far North Queensland's waterways. Alligator Creek, despite its popular walking tracks, is a known crocodile habitat. Warning signs are prominently displayed in the area, advising people to be vigilant and stay away from the water's edge.
Authorities consistently warn that no waterway in the region can be considered completely free of crocodile risk. The Queensland Department of Environment and Science advises the public to adopt a safety-first approach: be aware of warning signs, never swim in non-designated areas, keep pets on leashes away from the water, and stand back at least five metres from the water's edge when fishing or camping.
Moloney's decision to share his video was driven by a desire to highlight the very real and sudden threat. "I just want people to be careful," he stated, hoping his close call will make others more cautious. His experience underscores that complacency can have serious consequences in the shared environment of North Queensland, where humans and these ancient predators coexist.
