‘Barefoot Bushman’ TV documentary maker mauled by 15ft crocodile

A crocodile handler known as the Barefoot Bushman was seriously hurt after being mauled by a massive creature while feeding it at a wildlife park on Thursday. Rob Bredl was bitten by the 4.5m (15ft) beast at his family’s farm in Queensland in front of dozens of tourists and visitors. He told ambulance crews that the creature tried to drag him into the water but he wriggled free. After onlookers helped to stem the bleeding, Bredl was flown to hospital for treatment for a serious injury to his hand and bite marks to his lower right leg.

He said that it was a fully grown adult crocodile about four-and-a-half metres long so he is very lucky. He said it happened on land, it was attempting to drag him to the water but he’s got away before he was submerged at all.

Paramedic Heather Shields

The Bredl family has worked closely with crocodiles over three generations. Rob Bredl has starred in documentary series such as Killer Instinct, Deadly Predators and Kissing Crocodiles. The 66-year-old was attacked at Bredl’s Wild Farm, which is run by his nephews although he visits every day to host shows and help with the wildlife. Paramedic Heather Shields said bystanders helped to stem the bleeding. “They’d done some haemorrhage control on him and the patient was stable, they’d done an excellent job at looking after him,” she added. Reports suggest he may lose several fingers as a result of the attack.

When they took him off he was smiling

Bredl’s Wild Farm spokesman said he was in good spirits as he left for hospital