A man collecting wild crocodile eggs was attacked and bitten by a crocodile, and afterwards was accidentally shot by his friend attempting to rescue him.

The incident happened on a riverbank in the North Territory area.

A crocodile lunged and attacked Jason Green, holding him, which prevented him from escaping.

In a heroic attempt to rescue his friend and co-worker, Zac Fitzgerald grabbed a gun and fired at the crocodile, shooting Green in the arm.

"The male colleague shot at the crocodile, causing it to let go of the victim's arm," said a public statement quote by the Independent. "But a further shot hit the victim in the upper right arm."

Upon learning of the incident, Greens' employer immediately sent a helicopter that transported him to the Royal Darwin Hospital to undergo surgery.

"He's going to be very sick and sorry and have a very good story to tell," said Police Commander Bob Harrison, who responded to the incident.

Commenting on the incident and the patient's condition, Dr. Len Notaras of Royal Darwin said that the missed shot was most probably what had enabled Green to free his arm from the reptile.

"There is no doubt in my mind the gun shot actually saved his life," Dr. Notaras was quoted by the UPI.

She added, however, that there is still no certainty if Green's arm will fully heal.