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Fisherman's Body Found After Suspected Crocodile Attack

The 35-year-old's aluminium dinghy was found empty.

Police have found a body, believed to be that of Cairns spear fisherman missing since Saturday, in a suspected crocodile attack.

The Cairns man did not return home after setting out spear fishing alone in waters between Palmer Point and High Island, south of Cairns, on Saturday.

The Far North District Water Police coordinated a search for the fisherman after his empty aluminium dinghy was found anchored off Palmer Point at 6pm that evening. A spear gun was also found nearby.

Police in the Rescue 510 helicopter sighted the body from the air, according to the Brisbane Times.

The search team in Rescue 510 helicopter found the man's body.
Fairfax / Rescue 510 Cairns
The search team in Rescue 510 helicopter found the man's body.

"Initial investigations suggest the man may have been taken by a crocodile," Queensland police said in a statement.

"Wildlife officers from the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection are targeting the crocodile for removal.

"Police will join wildlife officers tonight to search for the animal, believed to be around 4 metres in length."

If confirmed as a crocodile attack, it would be the second in Queensland on the weekend. An Innisfail teenager had a lucky escape after being dared to jump into a croc-infested river.

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