A 19-year-old man has survived a crocodile attack in the Douglas Daly region of the Top End, the Northern Territory Health Department says.

It is believed the man was camping with his family near a creek when the crocodile entered his tent early Monday morning and pulled him out by his right foot.

The man told hospital staff he kicked the reptile with his other foot during the attack at about 4:30am.

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He believes the animal responsible was a four-metre saltwater crocodile.

The man’s parents drove him to Katherine Hospital, where he is expected to remain overnight.

He is being treated with IV antibiotics, which the health department said was standard for crocodile bites.

The man’s parents were travelling back to the site to retrieve their camping gear, before returning to Katherine.