Bitten by an Alligator While Fishing
Fortunately, No Threat to Life
A story has emerged from South Africa about a wife saving her husband who was nearly killed by a roughly 4-meter-long crocodile.
On the 19th, foreign media including the New York Post reported the story of Anthony Joubert (37), who recently had a close call with death after being bitten by a crocodile while fishing with his 12-year-old son. Joubert had entered shallow water to untangle a fishing line caught on a tree. At that moment, a crocodile suddenly lunged out and bit both of Joubert's legs. He speculated that the crocodile had been lying in ambush underwater. He explained the situation, saying, "The crocodile bit my leg and started shaking its head from side to side," and "My leg disappeared deep inside the crocodile's mouth." Joubert also tried to escape by poking the crocodile's eyes but failed.
The person who saved him from being dragged underwater was Joubert's wife, Anneries. When her husband was bitten and pulled by the crocodile, she grabbed a nearby log and ran over. She immediately screamed and struck the crocodile's head with the log. After hitting it about five or six times, the crocodile finally gave up on Joubert and disappeared underwater. Anneries recounted the moment, saying, "I don't know how I saved my husband. I was shocked to see half of his body inside the huge crocodile's mouth," and "I couldn't think of anything. I just grabbed the log and blindly went into the water, screaming and hitting the crocodile's head until it let my husband go."
The Joubert couple and their children. It is reported that the husband, Joubert, who was bitten by a crocodile, is receiving treatment at the hospital. [Image source=New York Post capture]
Afterwards, Joubert's supervisor, Johan, who was with them, provided first aid. Joubert was urgently transported to the hospital. Although he had four deep wounds on his legs and abdomen, he narrowly avoided critical injuries to the femoral artery and other vital areas, so his life was not in immediate danger. Joubert is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
Joubert said, "I still feel like I see the crocodile whenever I try to sleep," and "I don't think I will be able to go near the water for a while." He also expressed his gratitude, saying, "Two very brave people (my wife Anneries and my supervisor Johan) saved me from the most horrific death I could imagine that day." Witnesses at the scene estimated the crocodile that attacked Joubert to be about 4 meters long.
According to South African government statistics, fewer than one in 100 people attacked by crocodiles survive. Moreover, surviving after having nearly half of one's body inside a crocodile's mouth is almost miraculous.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
