Pilot swims crocodile-infested river

DARWIN, Australia, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- A female pilot was forced to swim across a crocodile-infested river after her light plane crash landed in Australia's northern territory, officials said.

Marlee Ranacher, 49, made an emergency landing on a mud flat near the edge of the Victoria River after her Cessna experienced engine failure, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

Ranacher said she walked more than half a mile up the riverbank before the incoming tide forced her to swim across the river.

"I've lived here my whole life and I know how many crocodiles there are down here and how big they are so that was really bad because I had time to think about that," she told the Australian broadcaster.

Ranacher said she saw only one small crocodile in the water.

After crossing the river, Ranacher set off an emergency beacon and authorities notified her husband, a helicopter pilot, who flew to her rescue.

"I'm really sad I lost the plane but I'm glad I'm alive," she told Australian Broadcasting.