A crocodile attack has seen a man taken into the jaws of a large crocodile before being dragged away out of sight in front of about 15 horrified observers in Australia.

The victim in the incident was a 26-year-old man who had gone swimming in a river well-known to house a large crocodile population.

Officials in Australia's Northern Territory have not identified the man to the public at this time, but have confirmed that the man was at the location celebrating a birthday party with a number of friends at the time.

The victim is said to have ignored numerous signs around the river warning people not to go near the water, and went swimming with another person.

The incident took place at a popular camping ground at Mary River Park, about 70 miles from Darwin.

The victim and his friend are said to have swam to the other side of the river safely, and were on their way back when he was suddenly grabbed by a crocodile described to have been about 5 meters in length.

Senior Sergeant Geoff Bahnert from the Northern Territory Police Force has reported to the press, "Several of the group in the party witnessed the male being taken in the jaws of the croc for a period of time, and then he was out of sight. The Mary River is known worldwide to have the greatest saturation of adult saltwater crocodiles in the world. You don't swim in the Mary River."

Officials believe that alcohol may have been a factor in why the two people decided to ignore warnings and go swimming in the river famous for containing a high number of crocodiles.

See a video report about the crocodile attack below: