Dead crocodile victim pulled from Australian river

DARWIN, Australia – Police have recovered the body of a 26-year-old swimmer and the crocodile that killed him during birthday celebrations on a notorious Australian Outback river on the weekend.

Police say Sean Cole and a friend had swam across the crocodile-infested Mary River and were swimming back when the 4.7-meter (15 foot, 5 inch) crocodile clamped its jaws around his chest on Saturday afternoon as 15 friends watched in horror from the bank.

Get breaking National news

Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won't miss a trending story.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Get Started

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Northern Territory wildlife ranger Tom Nichols says Cole’s body and the dead crocodile floated to the surface early Monday. The crocodile had been shot by rangers within hours of the attack on Saturday night but had sunk before it could be retrieved.

Cole had been celebrating a friend’s birthday at the Mary River Wilderness Retreat, an Outback tourist destination.