Fisherman reveals he was TWO INCHES from certain death after battle with huge crocodile

A fisherman was just two inches from certain death when a monster five-metre crocodile jumped into his boat and tried to devour him.

Chris Perger, 32, who lives at Wollongong on the NSW south coast, was in the Northern Territory last month on a fishing trip at the Kakadu National Park when he cheated death.

Perger was camping on a boat along the South Alligator River and had just finished dinner with a group of three friends when the croc attacked on April 24.

Chris Perger, 32, (pictured) was in the Northern Territory last month on a fishing trip at the Kakadu National Park when he cheated death after a crocodile tried to devour him

Chris Perger (pictured above right) was on a fishing trip to the Top End last month when he was attacked by a huge crocodile

‘(Fellow fisherman) Riley (Wilson) screamed out ‘Croc!’ and then lunged out of the way before this massive croc jumped about three metres into our boat,’ Perger told Northern Territory News.

‘I was sitting on a chair, and it reached right out at me and had a big snap. It (the croc) got one of its teeth in my side, but if the seat wasn’t there, it would have got me — 5cm closer it would have pulled out my torso.

Mr Perger said he was shocked how fast the predator jumped into the boat and attacked him before he could do much to react. 

NT Health later confirmed croc attack, and that Perger was treated at Jabiru Health Centre on Anzac Day last Sunday for body grazes.

Perger and his three friends stopped on the river near the banks of Mud Island to cook dinner when the attack happened.

Despite his brush with certain death, Chris Perger (pictured) has no plans to give up fishing

The attack was at the Kakadu National Park (pictured) in the Northern Territory on April 24

The smell of the food on board the boat is said to have ‘motivated’ the hungry reptile.

Crocodile expert Adam Britton described the behaviour as ‘unusual’.

‘It can happen, especially if they’ve got something to rest against like the side of a boat,’ he told ABC News.

He also said he had heard that the crafty croc pushed itself over the gunnels before attempting to attack Perger.  

Dr Britton warned fishermen to remain vigilant as the recent wet season filled up river systems, making it easier for crocodiles to freely roam. 

Kakadu rangers are on the lookout for the crocodile, which is likely to be removed if found.

There were six crocodile attacks on humans this year across Australia, with one fatality in north Queensland.

The remains of Andrew Heard, 69, were found inside a four-metre crocodile in February. 

The keen angler had gone on a fishing trip to Gayundah Creek, located between Cairns and Townsville, in a tiny dinghy boat.

The large reptile was later euthanised.