Fear Aussie eaten by giant crocodile

COOKTOWN, Australia, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- A search resumed in far northeastern Australia Wednesday for a 62-year-old man who authorities fear was snatched from the water's edge by a giant crocodile.

Scottish-born Vietnam War veteran Arthur Booker was retrieving crab pots from an area on the river dubbed Cape Crocodile near Cooktown when he went missing, The Times of London reports.

Police believe Booker may have been taken by a one ton, 19-foot-long salt-water crocodile that area residents call Charlie. The crocodile is described as shy despite his enormous size.

Long reptile skid and claw marks were found near the riverbank where Booker had his crab pots. Searchers recovered his wristwatch and one of his sandals from the river.

"I've heard of a dog being taken on the other branch of the Endeavor (river) but nothing like this," said Terry Rayner who owns the campsite where Booker and his wife stayed.

Authorities say if Booker's disappearance is confirmed as a crocodile attack, it would be the first fatal crocodile attack in Australia since 2005.