A young boy, aged seven, suffered severe injuries when a large crocodile tore off his arm while he was playing in shallow waters during a fishing trip with his family near Brits town in the North West Province of South Africa. The incident occurred last Friday at the Roodekoppies Dam on the Crocodile River. The boy’s friend, a nine-year-old named Dylan, witnessed the attack and attempted to help him escape.
The boy’s father, identified as Corne, was in a caravan about 25 meters away with Dylan’s father when the incident unfolded. Dylan raised the alarm, prompting both fathers to rush to the water. Corne managed to free his son from the crocodile, which had gripped the boy’s arm, but not before the crocodile had inflicted severe injuries.
The injured boy, Johandre, was swiftly taken to the hospital by his frantic parents, where he received initial treatment before being airlifted to a hospital in Alberton, over 60 miles away. Johandre is now in stable condition after being placed in an induced coma.
The family has initiated a fundraising campaign on BackaBuddy Fund to cover Johandre’s medical expenses and rehabilitation costs, described as substantial. Witnesses reported that the crocodile involved in the attack was later seen near the water’s edge after the incident, causing concern among locals and resort visitors.
There are conflicting opinions about the incident, with some criticizing the family for not being more cautious in an area known to have dangerous wildlife. Despite the tragic turn of events, some online commenters emphasized that the crocodile was acting on its natural instincts. The whereabouts of the crocodile responsible for the attack remain unknown at this time.