A MAN in his 30s from Rarumana, Western Province, is counting his lucky stars after narrowly surviving a crocodile attack on Sunday.
The victim who is now nursing serious wounds was lucky to be alive after he was rescued by villagers.
A villager at the scene told the Solomon Star on Monday that the victim was out diving fish with two of his friends on Sunday night along the village coast.
That was when the crocodile suddenly attacked him from behind, it was revealed.
The man was quickly rescued and rushed immediately to the Gizo Hospital.
He is currently receiving treatment and under close supervision of doctors.
Speaking to Solomon Star in an interview on Monday in Gizo, a relative of the victim said the victim was still busy diving for fish when this saltwater crocodile approached him from the back and grabbed hold of him.
The monster is believed to be between 7 to 8 feet in length.
There were three men on the diving trip.
“While the other two were still diving, the other one was on the boat when all of sudden without noticing the beast, it attacked the victim on the spot from the behind his hips, causing wounds to his stomach.”
It was revealed, it was one of the friends onboard the dugout canoe that heard the water splashing and struggle.
“In a state of panic and fear, he shouted for help to the villagers when some of the groups of men run to rescued them,” the relative said.
When the villagers arrived at the scene, the crocodile already took hold of the victim on both of sides of the victim’s hips which caused serious injuries to his stomach.
It was the quick action by the villagers that saved the victim who was later rushed to Gizo Hospital for immediate medical attention.
The survivor is still nursing injuries after undergoing medical treatment.
Crocodile attack continues to pose threats to innocent lives in Western province.
Couple of months ago, a young student was also attacked and killed near Kukudu on Kolombangara.
In Buri, North Ranonggah, sighting of crocodiles at night continues to be a concern amongst the villagers.
Animals, especially dogs, have been attacked and killed already by crocs.
In Marovo, there is ongoing sighting of this cold-blooded creatures.
A Marovo resident Derisha Timothy said the sighting of crocodiles around the lagoon is causing fear.
The growing number of crocodiles in the country has been a concern for many villagers.
The destruction of registered guns after Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI’s) intervention in early 2000 has been attributed to as to the main reason why the population of these reptiles is on the rise.
BY ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
