Dad's desperate attempt to save son from crocodile: 'Dragged underwater'
WARNING - GRAPHIC CONTENT: A dad was left with horrific injuries after trying to stop a huge crocodile from dragging his son underwater.
The incident reportedly occurred on a river in Lahad Datu, in Malaysia's Tawau Division of Sabah, on Thursday morning. The pair were fishing in a canoe in the waters of the Lahad Datu Marine base when they were attacked by the crocodile.
The devastated dad said he leapt across and tried to fight off the predator, but it quickly disappeared underwater with the trapped boy in its jaws.
"Despite the man's best efforts he ended up with numerous bite wounds and could not stop his son being dragged underwater," Lahad Datu Fire and Rescue station chief Sumsoa Rashid said. "There are several viral videos showing how the victim (his child) was attacked by the crocodile and then grabbed before being dragged to a nearby river."
The crocodile later resurfaced with the boy's body in its mouth. Search and rescue teams were called to the scene and gave the dad first aid treatment for large gashes to his head and underarm, but were unable to locate the child's remains.
The man and his son have not been named, but the Mirror reports the boy was only one. His dad is said to be in his 40s.
The father is currently being treated at the nearby Lahad Datu Hospital. Six firefighters are reportedly continuing to search for the child assisted by police, marine police, and the Health Ministry.
Tradie almost eaten by giant crocodile
Earlier this week, a tradie had a very close encounter with a large crocodile in the Northern Territory. The Darwin man was on his way to work when he stopped to get a better look at the beast, who was only metres away, prompting it to suddenly pounce at him.
In June, an Aussie man was hailed for his bravery after he confronted a crocodile with a frypan. Kai Hansen, the owner of Goat Island and the Goat Island Lodge, which sits on the Adelaide River, was filmed whacking the crocodile's snout with the kitchen utensil, forcing it to scurry off and back into the water.
CEN/Australscope
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
