Crocodile handler tragically dies after being brutally attacked at Papua New Guinea wildlife park

The man is said to have had his legs’ inside the crocodile’s mouth for over an hour before help arrived

A crocodile handler has tragically died after being brutally attacked at a wildlife park in Papua New Guinea.

Yet to be identified, the man was attacked on Saturday (September 5) while inside a crocodile enclosure at Adventure Park in Port Moresby, located in the southwestern Pacific.

Brought for treatment to 3 Mile General Hospital, the man sadly died from his injuries sustained in the crocodile attack. He is said to have passed away at around 7am on Sunday (September 6).

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Heartbreaking

Chilling video footage of the horrifying incident has been circulating on social media. With bystanders attempting to help him, the man could be seen clinging to the side of a pool

In distressing scenes, the crocodile appeared to have its jaws around the man’s legs. One person offered him a pole through the enclosure fence to try fend off the animal.

With a crowd gathering around the enclosure, another person tried to support the worker from the edge of the pool. According to one eyewitness, the man was attacked while attempting to feed the crocodile.

Gibson John told ABC: “He brought the chicken to the fence and the crocodile attacked the person and tried to bring him into the pool. We couldn’t assist at that time, [but] I managed to contact the St John’s Ambulance.”

Mr John went on to say that the man’s legs were in the crocodile’s mouth for over an hour before help finally arrived.

“The security guards had no guns, but gave him a small iron rod to use until the police and St John’s Ambulance came. He was in severe pain but he couldn’t scream.

“He couldn’t speak properly at that time. It was the pain I could see from his eyes. The only thing I could hear him say was, ‘I haven’t done anything wrong’,” he stated.

Tragedy

Once the man, who was from the Western Islands in northern Papua New Guinea, was taken to hospital, Mr John said he was informed that he lost his leg while waiting for help to arrive.

“I’ve never seen something like this before. I couldn’t believe what I saw,” Mr Jogn said.

According to reports, the handler is understood to have worked at the park for around two years. The park has been closed until further notice.

Staff who witnessed the attack are reportedly gathering at a funeral home following the worker’s death to support his family during their time of need.