Police Officer Lowered by Helicopter Into Crocodile-Infested River to Retrieve Body of Eaten Businessman

Key facts

• A businessman went missing after his vehicle was stranded crossing a flooded low-water bridge on the Komati River in South Africa's northeast.
• Police divers, helicopters, and drones were deployed in the search before officers spotted a crocodile with a 'massively full tummy' on a small island.
• Captain Johant 'Pottie' Potgieter, commander of a police diving unit, led the operation to retrieve the crocodile.
• The crocodile measured 4.5 metres long and weighed approximately 500kg.
• Six types of shoes were found inside the crocodile's stomach.
• Human remains were discovered in the crocodile's intestines after it was transported to Kruger National Park.
• DNA testing is being conducted to determine if the remains belong to the missing businessman.

A Desperate Search Ends in Grisly Discovery

A police officer was lowered by helicopter into a crocodile-infested river in South Africa's northeast to retrieve the body of a businessman who had been eaten by one of the reptiles. The dramatic mission unfolded over the Komati River after authorities launched a desperate search for the missing man. His vehicle had been stranded while attempting to cross a flooded low-water bridge last week. By the time officers arrived at the scene, the car was empty, leading investigators to believe the powerful currents had dragged away the businessman. Police divers, helicopters, and drones were deployed in the hunt before officers spotted a small island where several crocodiles were lying in the sun.

Captain Potgieter's Suspicion Leads to Deadly Intervention

Captain Johant 'Pottie' Potgieter, commander of a police diving unit, said years of experience led them to suspect one of the reptiles 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 crocodile was killed before Potgieter undertook what police later described as a 'highly dangerous and complex operation' to retrieve the beast from the river. In astonishing scenes, the officer was lowered from a helicopter by rope before securing the reptile so both could be airlifted out of the water. 'The sharp end of a crocodile is not the best place to approach it,' Potgieter told the news website.

Grisly Evidence: Six Types of Shoes Found Inside the Crocodile

Potgieter also revealed that investigators found six types of shoes inside the crocodile. The enormous crocodile, measuring 4.5 metres long and weighing around 500kg, was then transported to nearby Kruger National Park, where human remains were discovered inside its intestines. DNA testing is now being carried out to establish whether the remains belong to the missing businessman. The discovery of multiple shoes suggests the crocodile may have consumed more than one victim, though authorities have not confirmed additional missing persons. The operation highlights the extreme dangers posed by crocodiles in flood-affected regions.

Crocodile Encounters on the Rise in Flood-Hit Areas

This attack is the second terrifying incident in the region in five months, underscoring a growing threat as floodwaters displace crocodiles from their natural habitats. 'They are obviously being displaced, and they are obviously not going to be particularly happy,' an expert warned. In a separate incident, a flood-hit town was put on alert as crocodiles roamed streets and backyards. 'We have to learn to live with crocodiles,' an expert said following the attack, emphasizing the need for coexistence as human settlements encroach on crocodile territory. The Komati River incident is a stark reminder of the risks when waterways swell and crocodiles are forced into unfamiliar areas.

Wider Context: Crocodile Incidents Across the Globe

The South African tragedy is part of a broader pattern of crocodile-related incidents worldwide. In Australia, a young man was attacked by a 'large crocodile' at a remote camping spot, the second such attack in the region in five months. Meanwhile, in the UK, Siamese crocodile hatchlings were reunited with their parents at Crocodiles of the World in Brize Norton, and Swindon's famous croc returned after a five-year absence in a new exhibition. Scientists in Australia have also found evidence of ancient tree-climbing 'drop crocs' that hunted like leopards, while a tourist in the UK discovered a rare chunk of the oldest sea crocodile, a Thalattosuchian jawbone, on a guided fossil walk. These stories highlight the enduring fascination and danger posed by crocodiles across different contexts.

What Comes Next: DNA Tests and Ongoing Investigations

Authorities are awaiting DNA test results to confirm whether the human remains found inside the crocodile belong to the missing businessman. The investigation continues, with police likely to search for additional victims given the multiple shoes found. The operation has drawn international attention for its audacity and the risks taken by the police diving unit. Captain Potgieter's actions have been praised as heroic, but the incident raises questions about safety protocols for crossing flooded bridges and the management of crocodile populations in areas prone to flooding. As climate change increases the frequency of extreme weather events, such encounters may become more common.

The bottom line

• A businessman's vehicle was stranded on a flooded low-water bridge on the Komati River, leading to his disappearance and presumed death by crocodile attack.
• Police killed a 4.5-metre, 500kg crocodile and airlifted it from the river after spotting it with a full stomach.
• Human remains were found in the crocodile's intestines, and DNA testing is underway to confirm the victim's identity.
• Six types of shoes were discovered inside the crocodile, indicating it may have consumed multiple victims.
• The incident is the second crocodile attack in the region in five months, highlighting increased risks during floods.
• Experts call for coexistence with crocodiles as human activities and climate change lead to more frequent encounters.