A Queensland man who survived a machete attack in Papua New Guinea has described it as a prolonged period of butchery and terror.
Guides Kuia Kerry and Matthew Lasong were killed when six bandits armed with machetes, a rifle and a home-made gun attacked the group as they camped along the Black Cat Trail in PNG’s Morobe Province on Tuesday.
Seven Australians and one New Zealander who survived returned to Cairns on Thursday.
Among them was Mackay man Nick Bennett, who suffered a head wound in the attack.
“I’ve seen some things in my life. This was too graphic to describe,” he told ABC radio.
“The whole thing unfolded over 20 minutes to half an hour. This wasn’t just a quick hit as you would normally expect from a robbery. This was wanton butchery.”
He again lauded the bravery of trek leader Christie King, who put herself forward when the gang demanded to talk to the boss man, and as tents and people were being attacked around her.
“I’m on my elbows just bleeding out. They’ve hit another one of our guys who was in his tent. He’s dome out to see what’s going on and they’ve clubbed him over the head,” Mr Bennett said.
“And then they’ve taken to the tents with machetes and to our bags, just dragging bags out.
“They’re demanding money which we gave them. And Christie stood up when they called for the boss man.
“I don’t think they realised that she was a woman.”
Mr Bennett’s full interview will be aired later on Friday.
PNG’s Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has warned those responsible face the death penalty, and says the incident has harmed his nation’s tourist industry.
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