Woman survives crocodile attack in the Kimberley

ABC Updated April 02, 2012 20:04:36 A woman has survived a crocodile attack at Dugong Bay in Western Australia's Kimberley. Tara Hawkes, 23, was swimming from the boat on which she works, the 'True North', when the two-metre croc bit her upper leg yesterday. Dugong Bay is south of Talbot Bay and its famous Horizontal Falls, near Derby. The Department of Environment and Conservation's Peter Carstairs says she was in an area known for crocodiles. "They were swimming in a fresh water pool, not far from the salt water area, and as she was exiting the water, she was grabbed by a crocodile," he said. "She received lacerations and puncture wounds from the attack." Ms Hawkes was taken to Derby Hospital with lacerations and puncture wounds and is in a stable condition. Mr Carstairs says the crocodile is still in the area and he is urging people not to swim there. "The crocodile hasn't been harmed in any way but we'll be looking into seeing what options we can take," he said. "That area's very well known for crocodiles so I think removing people from the environment instead of removing the crocodile from the environment sounds like a good idea."