The Australian defence department has been charged with a breach of occupational safety after a 2.5-metre (8-foot) saltwater crocodile mauled two soldiers who went for a dip in infested waters.
The two personnel, a private and a corporal, were hospitalised after escaping the reptile’s jaws in August 2021 while swimming at the Cape York Peninsula in northeastern Australia.
The pair had been granted permission to go fishing in an inflatable Zodiac boat in the remote location, around 750km (450 miles) north of Cairns, Queensland.
They dived into the water anchoring the boat and were almost immediately attacked by the crocodile, according to Australia’s work health and safety watchdog Comcare on Friday.
“The crocodile dragged one of the soldiers underwater and mauled him while his colleague fought off the animal, allowing the men to escape to the Zodiac”, the government agency stated.
Both soldiers were severely hurt, with bite and claw wounds, and were sent to Cairns Hospital for treatment.
“Prosecutors filed a single complaint against the Department of Defence, charging that it violated federal work health and safety laws”, Comcare said.
The department is accused of failing to enforce a number of procedures, including prohibiting workers from entering crocodile-infested water unless there is an operational or safety purpose to do so, conducting risk assessments, and providing a detailed safety briefing about the risk of crocodile attacks.
The soldiers were transporting a landing craft from Darwin to Townsville for maintenance when they decided to take the perilous swim.
The maximum penalty if found guilty is Aus$ 1.5 million (US$980,000).
The defence department expressed gratitude to members of the community and emergency personnel who assisted the two guys following the attack.
“The safety of our people is paramount in all activities and critical to our mission of defending Australia and its national interests”, the statement added.
The defence department confirmed a single charge had been filed against them but declined to speak further, citing the ongoing legal proceedings.
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