Young Aussie 'hero' praised for saving fisherman in 'freakish' crocodile incident
Sydney boy Isaac Hammond, 14, fearlessly reached down into the water to save his tour guide who had been snatched by a three-metre long saltwater crocodile.
A brave 14-year-old boy has recounted the unbelievable moment he jumped to the aid of a veteran tour guide, helping save him from the jaws of a hungry crocodile, pulling the fisherman from the water without a second thought for his own safety.
Sydney boy Isaac Hammond, from the Blue Mountains, was touring some of the best fishing spots in East Arnhem — a remote part of the Northern Territory — with guide Sean Fiumara last Tuesday, October 1, when the crocodile suddenly leapt from below and "pulled him in".
Isaac, who was travelling with his brother Oliver and father Misha at the time, quickly sprung into action, reaching down into the water to pull Fiumara back into the boat. Miraculously, Fiumara was able to pry himself from the grips of the three-metre long croc, but suffered serious leg injuries and a "shredded" hand as a result.
'Agro' saltwater crocodile wanted 'another go'
Recounting the adrenaline-inducing ordeal to The Project panel on Tuesday night, Isaac said "it was all a shock when [Fiumara] first fell in".
"I sort of didn't know what was happening, but I did when I saw the big crocodile in the water," he said. "So I grabbed him when he was in the water and dad helped me pull him into the boat."
Isaac said the entire ordeal took place within five minutes of arriving at their fishing spot, adding that the crew hadn't seen a crocodile on the water "the entire day".
"It snuck up on us. I wasn't really thinking — I just wanted to get him out."
According to the youngster, the crocodile appeared unhappy about the missed opportunity.
"It was intimidating, he was really agro, and stayed around the boat until we drove off," he recalled to the program, adding the animal attempted to have "another go at Sean" before the group fled the area to safety.
Fiumara was able to clamber back into the boat and return the group to the Dhipirri Barra and Sportfishing Lodge, where he was transferred to hospital for treatment for his wounds.
Teenager Isaac Hammond is being hailed a hero after he helped rescue Top End fishing guide Sean Fiumara after a three-metre-long crocodile dragged him out of his boat and into the water.
Isaac told us what happened. pic.twitter.com/s22jkun7S9— The Project (@theprojecttv) October 8, 2024
'Freakish' incident a 'sobering reminder' to be croc safe
According to a Dhipirri Lodge spokesperson, the fisherman is understood to be "in good spirits" despite initially being in "bad shape" as a result of the attack.
Colleagues described it as a "freakish incident" that could've easily killed him.
"Sean suffered damage to his right leg when pulled into the water from a standing position on the boat," the spokesperson said on social media. "Only quick thinking on his part and with the assistance of his clients who lifted him out of the water saw him get out of danger."
They described it as a "sobering reminder of the dangerous nature of being in the habitat of crocodiles".
Remarkably, Isaac said he plans on returning to the same fishing spot in April next year.
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