Circling Crocodiles Trap Man For a Week in Tree

Next time you're tromping through croc-infested swamps in Australia's Cape York, consider taking some advice from 53-year-old stockman David George who recently spent seven nights up a tree with the beady red eyes of crocodiles staring hungrily up at him.

George was flying solo on his Silver Plains cattle station when his horse stumbled and threw him off, knocking him unconcious. Hours later, George came to and got back on his horse. His horse, however, didn't take him home. It took him to some deep, crocodile-infested swampland.

"I had to get off the horse and fall on the 8 ft. swamp grass to clear a path," George told The Times, "I fell straight into a crocodile nest."

With monstrous footprints in sight, George knew he had to get to high ground. And quick. He climbed a tree and tied himself to a branch with a rope. For resting, he built a platform higher up using branches. He tried to reflect sunlight off his tobacco tin, wave his shirt on a stick, and even T.P. a tree to gain rescue attention. No dice.

To ward off circling crocs George would yell, "I'm not falling out of this tree for you bastards!"

Two sandwiches down and numerous profanities later, George had no luck. He etched a goodbye letter into his tobacco tin for his son that read, "Surrounded by crocs and snakes. See choppers every day, flying too low--can pass a footy to them, blind p*****. Love you, my son."

On the eighth day, George was winched from the tree by an army helicopter. Alerted by his wife, the Australian army, police and Aboriginal trackers were all on the case.

George told The Times of his rescue,"They gave me a chocolate bar—it was like a gourmet meal."