Remains of missing Australian man found in crocodiles: ‘Tragic, tragic ending’

The remains of an Australian man who went missing while fishing in crocodile-infested waters have been found inside two reptiles, police said Wednesday.

The 65-year-old victim, identified in Australian media as Kevin Darmody, went fishing in far north Queensland on Saturday as part of a group that chased the crocodile away so they could start fishing, police said.

People fishing with the man, a pub manager, heard him “screaming and shouting very loudly, followed by a loud splash of water”, Cairns Police Inspector Mark Henderson said.

Rangers later used rifles to kill two crocodiles — one about 14 feet long and the other nine feet — found upstream from where the group was fishing in Lakefield National Park.

An autopsy found human remains in both predators, police said.

Henderson described it as a “tragic, tragic finale”.

Henderson said the man was a “very nice man” from rural Laura in north Queensland, which has a population of about 130 people.

Queensland wildlife officer Michael Joyce urged people to be cautious.

“This is crocodile country. If you’re in the water, and especially if you’re in Lakefield, which is designated as a crocodile preserve, you should expect crocodiles in that water.”