NORTHERN TERRIROTY NEWS (Darwin, Australia) 23 November 07 Croc attack victim faces jaws of fear (Nadja Hainke)
A Policeman who escaped death in a crocodile attack has overcome his fear by getting into the water with a saltie in Darwin.
Jeff Tanswell was attacked by a 4m crocodile in January.
The 37-year-old sergeant was snorkelling on a reef 15m from the shore off Little Adolphus Island in the Torres Strait when he was dragged under water - and spat out.
"I thought I'd been run over by a boat," he said.
"And then I surfaced and found myself looking straight into a crocodile's eye.
"I thought he was going to come over and finish me off."
But Sgt Tanswell's wife Jane, who was in the couple's boat, managed to pull her husband to safety.
Mr Tanswell said he was haunted by the experience.
But on a trip to Darwin he came face-to-face with another saltie in an attempt to overcome his fear of the reptile.
He was joined in a swimming pool by Territory zoologist Adam Britton, Canadian television personality Dave Salmoni -and a 2m saltie.
Dr Britton said the aim was to change Sgt Tanswell's perception of the animal.
Sgt Tanswell met the captive saltie in the safety of a swimming pool at Big Gecko's crocodilian research centre at McMinns Lagoon.
He said he felt hatred towards the animal at first.
"I was very nervous," he said.
"But I realise that the crocodile didn't bite out of malice. I can begin to respect them a little more."
Dr Britton said crocodiles were not malicious creatures.
"But they can be dangerous," he said.
"The one that bit Jeff was clearly out of its element, looking for a new home, and was either surprised that he surfaced near its head and bit him out of shock, or was curious and mistook him for something a little smaller."
The event was filmed for Mr Salmoni's new show, After the Attack, which explores the reasons behind animal attacks.
Croc attack victim faces jaws of fear