Terrified tourists caught up in axe attack

Wawel Castle in Krakow, Poland. Picture: Supplied Source: National Features

TOURISTS visiting a Polish castle in the southern city of Krakow Wednesday narrowly escaped an attack by an axe-wielding local whom police dubbed "a madman".

The 48-year-old identified by local media only as Grzegorz S. reportedly drove his car into the courtyard of the historic Wawel royal castle, then jumped out and began wildly swinging an axe at a group of young Polish students being guided by a Catholic priest.

"The Wawel is my home, I don't want any strangers here," he screamed, commercial radio RMF FM reported.

He lunged towards the visitors but when guards tried to tackle him he jumped back into his car and attempted to run them over, the report said.

Guards were able to bring him under control after shooting one of the vehicle's tyres.

"It all looked like an attack by a madman, without any kind of logical motive," Krakow regional police spokesman Dariusz Nowak told local media.

The suspect was reported to have a history of mental illness.

Perched atop a hill overlooking Krakow and the Vistula river, the 14th century Wawel castle is one of Poland's most popular tourist destinations, attracting around a million visitors each year.

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Monster croc who liked horses caught

Rangers Michelle Foate and Shaun Evans with the 4.5m tail-less saltwater crocodile that attacked a horse. Source: Supplied

• Saltwater crocodile 4.5m long without its tail
• Saltwater crocodile reported to had attacked horse
• Pictures: When crocodiles gets hungry

A MONSTER crocodile with a penchant for horses has been harpooned and hauled from a river in the Northern Territory.

The 4.5m saltwater crocodile - which would have been close to 5m long if part of its tail wasn't missing - was caught marauding about the McArthur River, near Borroloola, last night.

"We believe it is the same croc reported to have attacked a horse about two weeks ago," Parks and Wildlife NT chief district ranger Eddie Webber told the Northern Territory News.

The beast was caught at the junction boat ramp, more than 700km east of Darwin, about 9pm.

Largest saltwater crocodile in captivity dies

Mr Webber urged people in the Northern Territory to be vigilant against crocodiles.

"Large saltwater crocs are known to move in and out of the area undetected at any time of the year," he said.

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