SARIKEI: A 20-year-old man survived a crocodile attack at a river in Kampung Belabau Muara Lepa, Serdeng here at around noon yesterday.
He was mauled on his left hand but despite the excruciating pain, tried to drag the crocodile to the river bank.
The victim, identified as Peter Wee Chee Kiong, was washing his muddy feet and shoes after looking for river clams with two other friends when the attack occured.
His friends then had just alighted from the boat and were waiting for him on the river bank.
Suddenly, a crocodile lunged out and grabbed him by his left hand while lashing his tail at the boat.
Due to the impact, Wee was thrown off the sampan.
He struggled with the crocodile before he gathered all his strength to swim towards the riverbank with the crocodile still maintaining its grip on his hand. The reptile only released his hand as he approached the river bank.
Wee was later rushed to the Sarikei Hospital and was warded.
Met at the hospital, the gutsy young man said he was fortunate to have survived the attack.
“I always look for clams, crabs and prawns in the river. Recently, I went with my mother and aunt. The river is our source of income. We depend on it for survival.
“There were no recent incidents of violent crocodile attacks in the river. There was one many years ago,” he said.
Recalling the incident, Wee estimated the crocodile to be about 15 feet long.
“We use to see the crocodile floating in the water. Ducks and dogs are its usual preys, not humans,” he added.
Meanwhile, a group of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) members from PBB Kuala Rajang Service Centre, representing Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Assistant Minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh visited Wee at the hospital.
