On the Lukuga River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in December 2010, a crocodile snatched kayaker Hendri Coetzee from his boat as his two friends watched in horror, powerless to save him. The harrowing incident was captured on camera by the surviving kayakers, Chris Korbulic and Ben Stookesberry, who were on an expedition to become the first people to travel down the treacherous white water route.
The Attack
The trio were fully aware of the dangers from hippos and crocodiles and resolved to stay close together to help one another if an attack occurred, according to National Geographic. At a narrow stretch of the river, just 100 feet wide, the group became separated by about five feet. Coetzee was paddling in the middle, with Stookesberry at the front and Korbulic at the rear, when the crocodile struck.
The beast hurled itself from the water directly at Coetzee's kayak. Korbulic told the Associated Press: "I glanced over and just in my periphery I saw the crocodile come out of the water, and he got onto Coetzee's left side - just the left shoulder with its mouth. The crocodile just pulled him right underwater. I think we both were just in complete shock and disbelief, and absolutely horrified at what had just happened."
Aftermath
Within seconds, Coetzee's kayak capsized and the crocodile hauled him beneath the surface. Stookesberry and Korbulic could only watch in despair, knowing they were helpless. They made their way to the nearest village downstream, where locals told them the crocodile likely measured about 15 feet long and weighed approximately two tonnes. Upon reaching a neighbouring village, the distressed pair radioed for help. Stookesberry said: "This is Ben, can you hear me? We've had a terrible accident here. Hendri just got taken by a crocodile."
The kayak was retrieved from the river but bore no markings. In 2011, Coetzee's family and friends honoured his memory in a touching ceremony. Over 200 relatives and companions gathered at the falls to commemorate his life. A wooden raft adorned with flowers, prayer flags, poems, hearts, and photographs was transported to the centre of the river at dusk, set alight, and released into the rapids.
Pete Meredith, a close friend, said of the location: "He used to call this the center of the universe. It was close to the heart of Africa, at the source of the Nile, the people were so friendly, and the water was amazing. This is the way he would have wanted to go." Chris Korbulic added: "Hendri was a student, and a teacher, and a devotee to his church of exploration. His exploration and adventure were his self-expression, and he didn't need to go further with it by telling everyone about it."
