Police Officer Airlifted From Crocodile-Infested River With Remains of Missing Businessman

Key facts

• The crocodile measured 4.5 meters and weighed 500 kilograms.
• Human remains were found inside the crocodile's intestines at Kruger National Park.
• Six different types of shoes were also discovered in the crocodile's stomach.
• The missing businessman's car became stranded on a low bridge in the flooded Komati River.
• Police used drones and helicopters to spot the crocodile basking on a small island.
• DNA tests will confirm whether the remains belong to the missing man.
• Lt-Gen Puleng Dimpane, acting police chief, praised Potgieter for his bravery.

A Daring Rescue Turns Into a Recovery Mission

A South African police officer was lowered from a helicopter into the crocodile-infested Komati River to retrieve the remains of a businessman believed to have been eaten by a massive reptile. Captain Johan 'Pottie' Potgieter, commander of a police diving unit, secured the 4.5-meter crocodile with a rope before both were hoisted away from the water. The operation unfolded after the businessman's car became stranded while attempting to cross a flooded low-water bridge last week. By the time authorities arrived, the vehicle was empty, leading them to suspect the powerful currents had swept him away.

How Police Tracked the Crocodile

Police deployed divers, helicopters, and drones in the search for the missing man. They spotted a small island where several crocodiles were basking in the sun. Potgieter said years of experience allowed them to identify one crocodile that 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,' Potgieter told News24. The reptile was then killed before Potgieter undertook what police described as a 'highly dangerous and complex operation' to retrieve it.

The Extraction and Discovery of Remains

Potgieter was lowered from a helicopter by rope to secure the crocodile, which was then airlifted out of the river. The enormous reptile, measuring 4.5 meters and weighing 500 kilograms, was flown to nearby Kruger National Park. There, human remains were discovered inside its intestines. Additionally, six different types of shoes were found. Potgieter noted that while this could indicate the crocodile had killed other people, it was not certain: 'A crocodile will eat or swallow anything.'

DNA Tests to Confirm Identity

DNA testing is now being carried out to establish whether the remains belong to the missing businessman. Mpumalanga provincial police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo told the national broadcaster SABC that the man's car had become stranded while crossing a low bridge in the flooded river last week. By the time police got to the scene, the car was empty, leading them to suspect he had been swept away by the water. The authorities launched a desperate search using drones and helicopters, which ultimately led to the crocodile.

A Nerve-Wracking Operation Praised by Leadership

Potgieter described the experience as nerve-wracking, stating, 'The sharp-end of a crocodile is not the best place to approach it.' South Africa's acting police chief, Lt-Gen Puleng Dimpane, praised Potgieter for his bravery in undertaking the highly dangerous mission. The recovery of the crocodile and the remains marks a grim conclusion to the search for the missing businessman. The incident highlights the extreme measures authorities are willing to take in the face of natural disasters and wildlife dangers.

Wider Context: Crocodile Encounters in the Region

Crocodile attacks are not uncommon in South Africa, particularly in areas with large rivers and wildlife reserves. The Komati River, which flows through Mpumalanga province near Kruger National Park, is known to harbor a significant crocodile population. The discovery of six different types of shoes in the crocodile's stomach raises questions about its history of attacks, though Potgieter cautioned against jumping to conclusions. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by flooding and the predators that inhabit the region's waterways.

What Comes Next: Investigation and Safety Measures

Authorities will await DNA test results to confirm the identity of the remains. Meanwhile, the crocodile's stomach contents may provide further clues about its previous victims. The case has drawn attention to the risks of crossing flooded bridges and the importance of heeding warnings during heavy rains. Local officials may consider additional safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The bottom line

• A 4.5-meter, 500-kilogram crocodile was killed and retrieved from the Komati River after it ate a missing businessman.
• Police used helicopters and drones to locate the crocodile, which had a 'massively full tummy' and did not flee.
• Human remains and six different types of shoes were found inside the crocodile's intestines.
• DNA tests will confirm if the remains belong to the businessman who was swept away while crossing a flooded bridge.
• Captain Johan 'Pottie' Potgieter was lowered by helicopter rope to secure the reptile in a 'highly dangerous and complex operation.'
• South Africa's acting police chief praised Potgieter's bravery in the mission.