MIRI: An Indonesian man, fishing for crabs with his nephew near an oil palm estate in Batu Niah, was mauled to death by a crocodile Tuesday afternoon.
The 40-year-old deceased, a Bugis, has been identified as Muh Tahir Majid Syam.
His body has been taken to Miri Hospital’s morgue for an autopsy.
According to Miri deputy police chief Supt Sabri Zainol, prior to the tragic death, Muh Tahir and his nephew, 24-year-old Muhammad Arfan Putra Effendy, went looking for crabs at the river mouth nearby an oil palm plantation around 1pm.
“However, upon arrival at their fishing ground, they went separate ways,” Sabri said.
Sometime later, the nephew went to meet up with his uncle at their parting point, but the older man was nowhere in sight.
The nephew thought it strange because Muh Tahir’s belongings were on the ground, so he began a search.
“The nephew looked everywhere nearby the area to no avail until he sighted what looked like the older man’s head just above the water.
Later he saw the body afloat with the head partially attached to it.
“The remains were finally recovered at 6am Wednesday,” Sabri said, adding the case has been classified as sudden death.
“No foul play was involved. There were bite marks found on the deceased’s body, indicating that he had been bitten,” Sabri pointed out.
