Drunk bitten while riding 5 metre croc

A man bitten by a 5-metre saltwater crocodile is lucky to be alive, says Broome police. Photo / Getty Images

PERTH - A drunk man has been bitten on the leg after trying to ride a 5m saltwater croc named Fatso.

The man, who had earlier been turfed out of a Broome tavern for being drunk, told police he climbed into Fatso's enclosure at a local crocodile park because he wanted to give him a pat.

"He made his way into the crocodile park and then climbed into the compound with a large, male 5m saltwater croc named Fatso," Sergeant Roger Haynes said.

"He has attempted to sit on its back and the croc has taken offence to that and has spun around and bit him on the right leg.

"For an unknown reason, the crocodile has let him go and he's managed to scale the fence and exit the park."

He made his way back to the nearby tavern to get help.

Sgt Haynes said the man, who was not a local, was extremely lucky to be alive.

"No person in their right mind would try to sit on a 5m crocodile," he said.

"We do know he's from the eastern states and he doesn't seem to have a very good understanding of the nature of saltwater crocs in the Kimberley."

He said the 36-year-old had some "very nasty lacerations" and would spend some time in hospital, as croc wounds are prone to infection.

"Saltwater crocodiles ... once they get hold of you, are not renowned for letting you go. He's lucky to have escaped with his life."

- AAP