South African Police Recover Human Remains From Crocodile After Businessman Swept Away in Flood
DNA tests pending to confirm if remains belong to missing man who attempted to cross flooded bridge in Komati River
Quick Look
- South African police have recovered human remains from the intestines of a 4.5m crocodile in Mpumalanga province.
- The reptile was killed after being spotted with a noticeably full stomach during a search for a businessman who was swept away by floodwater while attempting to cross a low bridge in the Komati River last week.
- Captain Johan Potgieter was lowered from a helicopter into the crocodile-infested river to secure the animal before it was flown to Kruger National Park where human remains were discovered.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Komati River flows through Mpumalanga province in northeastern South Africa and is known to contain crocodiles. The region experiences seasonal flooding during the rainy season, which can create dangerous conditions for motorists attempting to cross low-lying bridges.
Police in South Africa have managed to recover human remains after an officer was lowered from a helicopter into a crocodile-infested river in the search for a businessman swept away by floodwater last week. The reptile suspected to have eaten the missing man had already been killed but Captain Johan "Pottie" Potgieter said it was still a nerve-wracking experience. "The sharp-end of a crocodile is not the best place to approach it," he told the News24 website. After Potgieter had used a rope to secure the animal, both were hoisted away from the Komati River in the north-east of the country. DNA tests will now be carried out to confirm if the remains are those of the missing man. His car had become stranded attempting to cross a low bridge in the flooded river last week. By the time the police got to the scene, it was empty, leading them to suspect he had been swept away by the water, Mpumalanga provincial police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo told the national broadcaster, SABC. The authorities used drones and helicopters in the search mission and noticed a small island where a number of crocodiles were basking in the sun, recounted Potgieter, commander of a police diving unit. He said that from years of experience, they could tell that one of the animals had recently eaten. "Besides having a massively full tummy, he didn't move around or try to slip into the river despite the noise of the drones and the chopper," he told News24. The reptile was then killed before Potgieter embarked on what police described as the "highly dangerous and complex operation" to recover it. The massive crocodile, measuring 4.5m (15 ft) and weighing 500kg (1,100 lb), was then flown to the nearby Kruger National Park, where human remains were discovered inside its intestines. Potgieter said that as well as the body parts, six different types of shoe were found. He said this could indicate it had killed other people but not necessarily: "A crocodile will eat or swallow anything."
Open Questions
- What was the identity of the missing businessman?
- Were there other victims attacked by this crocodile?
- What safety measures exist for crossing flooded rivers in the region?
