An elderly man has been found dead more than four days after going missing in crocodile-infested waters during a kayaking tour of the Kimberley.
Police on Friday confirmed the 79-year-old’s body was recovered from the Drysdale River — about 150km west on Wyndham — on Thursday.
The 79-year-old, who was one of nine people on a multi-day kayaking tour, became trapped underwater after falling into the choppy river about 1pm on Monday.
A 59-year-old man — also part of the tour group — jumped into the water in a bid to rescue the elderly man but was swept away by the fast-flowing current.
He was later found clinging to a tree surrounded by fast-moving current about 15m from the shoreline.
The 59-year-old was safely rescued and did not require medical attention.
Emergency services including Water Police, the Queensland Fire Department’s swift water team and WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services were deployed to Drysdale Station on Wednesday to help with the remote rescue mission.
“The deployment was facilitated by two chartered rotary aircrafts, two chartered fixed wing aircrafts and the police air wing which were used for the final stage of the operation,” a police spokesperson said.
Two rafts were also airlifted to the area to help with the rescue.
The incident has been referred to WorkSafe.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
WorkSafe has been contacted for comment.