Man leaps on croc’s back to save wife, police say

updated 7:24 p.m. ET April 2, 2008

DARWIN, Australia - A man jumped on the back of a crocodile to rescue his wife who was clenched in the reptile's jaws in northern Australia Wednesday, police said.

The woman, 36, suffered serious leg and hand injuries in the attack, which occurred at a creek crossing where the couple was swimming 100 miles southwest of Darwin, Australia's most northern city, a Northern Territory Police spokeswoman told the national news agency Australian Associated Press.

"A crocodile grabbed the woman, and her husband jumped on the back of the animal in an attempt to free her," the unnamed spokeswoman told AAP, adding that the reptile released the woman and fled.

She was treated at a nearby clinic before being taken to a hospital in Darwin for further treatment, the spokeswoman said. Details of her condition and the size of the crocodile were not known.

Wildlife rangers plan to set a trap for the crocodile Thursday, the spokeswoman said.

A police official was not immediately available for comment Thursday.

More from msnbc.com Theater troupe makes dreams come true |   Video World Blog: What's at stake in Copenhagen? What do you remember? Take our weekly quiz ‘Three Cups of Tea’ advice for Obama Will nuclear fusion fade ... or finally flare? Giving back for the holiday season? Tell us how On Twitter: Breaking news updates | Weird and wild

MORE FROM ASIA-PACIFIC

Asia-Pacific Section Front

Philippines declares martial law in province Swedish store removes N. Korean jeans Smuggled kangaroos freed; man arrested 17 killed in Indonesian amusement park fire Aussies wary of kangaroo flavored chips Uighurs using missionary railway to flee China Asia-Pacific Section Front   Add Asia-Pacific headlines to your news reader: