Kyle Hutchinson was walking with friends when he faced the predator.
He was left with six deep wounds near his knee, which he said came from a five-foot-long saltwater crocodile.
He was walking with friends near Buttons Crossing – north of Kununurra close to the Northern Territory border and eight hours southwest of Darwin – when he stepped into a deep puddle and felt a searing pain.
A car trunk was converted into a makeshift hospital bed while onlookers performed first aid.
Hutchison was rushed to Kununurra District Hospital.
Doctors were amazed that all of the wounds were missing tendons and vital arteries.
Just two hours after his ordeal, local Kimberley made his way to the pub with friends.
The Department of Parks and Wildlife is investigating and encourages reporting of all attacks.
