A man escaped the clutches of a crocodile that bit him on the crotch by punching it four times.

Hunter Elston Lami Lami was wading through shallow water near Minjilang on Croker Island off the coast of Australia's Northern Territory when he stepped on what he thought was a log. But as you may have guessed, it was not a log.

Speaking to 9 News from his hospital bed, the 42-year-old said: "I actually climbed on and stood on top of the croc for 15 seconds. My cousin then told me I was standing on top of its back, and in a split second [the crocodile] spun me around and knocked me over.

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"He started flipping me and I hit the bank, then he attacked."

The saltwater crocodile - which was between four-and-a-half and five metres in length - locked its jaws on one of Mr Lami Lami's legs, but he was able to prise himself free with a series of kicks and punches.

However, after retreating temporarily, the croc then came back for more.

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Mr Lami Lami said: "I kept on dragging myself up the bank, and all I saw was a big splash.

"When he came up with his jaws open, I spread my left leg and he got me on the shorts. I held the jaw with my right hand, and I hammered it with my left hand, so I hit it four times."

You're better off getting attacked by a crocodile than Mr Lami Lami, by the sounds of it.

Yet, despite getting smacked up twice, the crocodile wasn't about to give up the battle and Mr Lami Lami said he wouldn't be around to tell the tale if it weren't for the inspiration of his two daughters.

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The croc bit Mr Lami Lami on his leg and crotch. Credit: Nine News

He said: "I saw it coming out from the water, and he started chasing me. I ran - blood was gushing out of my left leg - I ran for my life.

"If it wasn't for my kids, I wouldn't be alive right now."

Mr Lami Lami was initially treated at Minjilang Community Health Centre before being flown out to Royal Darwin Hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.

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Pilot Jamie Humphreys said: "Basically, we landed and we were able to load him straight away.

"He was in a fairly stable condition and he was alert and able to chat to us.

"This is his first time being attacked by a crocodile. He said he never had fears about walking through murky water or creeks before but he's changed his mind now."

Yeah, that's understandable.

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