Boy, 12, fights off crocodile

2009-01-12 12:31

Durban - A 12-year-old boy has been described as a hero in his rural village after he fought off a crocodile that attacked him while he was swimming in the Umhlathuze river near Eshowe, the Mercury reported on Monday.

Police spokesperson Inspector Mbongeni Mdlalose said Sakhile Xulu was swimming with his friends when he was bitten on his right thigh by the crocodile.

"The boy grabbed the crocodile by its mouth and screamed for help and his friends rushed to his rescue. His friends managed to get sticks to poke the crocodile, while the boy was grabbing its mouth".

The group continued to poke the reptile until it let go of the boy's thigh.

Xulu was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Mdlalose said the residents use the river as a source of water as they had no taps.

"The sad thing about this river is that everyone depends on it. People drink, bathe and cross the river when they go to work and we cannot stop them."

- SAPA