Tijdens presentatie in East Geelong (Australië) bijt Snappy in arm eigenaresse - 2 Meter lange zoutwaterkrokodil weet tape rond bek te verbreken

Saltwater crocodile attacks Tracey Sandstrom

in East Geelong

04-12-2009 Carl Dickens, Geelong Advertiser, Australia


A SALTWATER crocodile bit its 46-year-old female handler in East Geelong yesterday afternoon as a reptile demonstration went horribly wrong. Tracey Sandstrom, an experienced reptile keeper, was bitten while presenting her animals at a private function in Eastern Park with her business, Roaming Reptiles.

Tracey Sandstrom and 2m crocodile Snappy.

Midway through her display, a two-metre saltwater crocodile, named Snappy, broke free from the tape around its jaws and clamped its teeth around Ms Sandstrom's arm.

Horrified onlookers quickly dialled triple zero.

Rural Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said paramedics were called to Eastern Park's north about 5.30pm.
He said Ms Sandstrom was rushed to Geelong Hospital, suffering lacerations to the arm and requiring stitches.

Too sore and tired to speak to the Geelong Advertiser from her hospital bed last night, Ms Sandstrom managed a wry comment that Snappy "won't need to be fed this week".

Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Nelson said Ms Sandstrom was in a stable condition last night, and was expected to remain in Geelong Hospital overnight.
A primary teacher and herpetologist with two decades of experience handling reptiles, Ms Sandstrom established Roaming Reptiles in February 2003.

Her business regularly visits schools, fetes, birthday parties and other functions throughout Victoria.

Demonstrations feature Australian lizards, snakes, frogs, turtles and crocodiles, as well as insects and arachnids including tarantulas and redback spiders.

(Bron: http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/)
(Bron foto: Geelong Advertiser)