A DRUNKEN Broome visitor is lucky to be alive after climbing onto the back of a 5m crocodile and trying to ride the giant predator.
``He made his way into the crocodile park and then climbed into the compound with a large, male 5m saltwater croc named Fatso,'' Sergeant Roger Haynes told AAP.
``He has attempted to sit on its back and the croc has taken offence to that and has spun around and bit him on the right leg.
``For an unknown reason, the crocodile has let him go and he's managed to scale the fence and exit the park.''
Crocodile park owner Malcolm Douglas said the man was incredibly lucky to survive his brush with the 800kg "Fatso'' who was relocated about 20 years ago from a Northern Territory river where it had been attacking boats.
Mr Douglas said the cooler night in Broome had probably made "Fatso'' a bit more sluggish than he would normally have been, contributing to the miracle escape from a near-certain fatal attack.
The man managed to clamber back over the perimeter fence and made his way back to the nearby tavern to get help after the attack, about 10.15pm on Monday.
Mr Douglas said it is believed the man is an itinerant drifter. Earlier Police said they thought he had been in the town for several weeks.
Sgt Haynes said the man was extremely lucky to be alive.
``No person in their right mind would try to sit on a 5m crocodile,'' he said.
``We do know he's from the eastern states and he doesn't seem to have a very good understanding of the nature of saltwater crocs in the Kimberley.''
He said the 36-year-old had some ``very nasty lacerations'' and would spend some time in hospital, as croc wounds are prone to infection.
``Saltwater crocodiles . . . once they get hold of you, are not renowned for letting you go. He's lucky to have escaped with his life.''
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