A woman who was "dragged away" by a crocodile as her friend tried in vain to rescue her is reportedly still missing more than 12 hours after being snatched by the creature.

According to police the woman, who has not been named, was grabbed by the reptile as she and her friend took a late night swim at Thornton Beach, in Queensland, on Sunday.

Despite her friend's attempts to get her back to safety the 46-year-old victim was dragged away by the crocodile and has not been seen since.

The woman was dragged into the water shortly after 10.30pm but a rescue helicopter fitted with thermal imaging equipment has so far failed to find any trace of her.

According to police the area the women were swimming in was a well known crocodile habitat - a fact they may have been unaware of as they were not locals.