Crocodile Attack Claims Kayaker's Life on Lukuga River
In December 2010, a crocodile dragged kayaker Hendri Coetzee from his boat as his two friends watched on in horror, unable to save his life. The horrifying moment was captured on camera by the other kayakers, Chris Korbulic and Ben Stookesberry, who were on a kayaking trip down the Lukuga River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The three were determined to become the first people to travel down the white water way.
They knew the route would be plagued by hippos and crocodiles, so they decided to stay close as a trio to help each other fight off any attacks, according to National Geographic. However, only two of them would survive the journey.
Narrow River Section Led to Separation
One part of the run was just 100 feet wide, meaning the trio became separated, around five feet apart. Coetzee was paddling in the centre, while Stookesberry was at the front and Korbulic behind him when a crocodile appeared. It launched itself out of the water head-on 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."
Coetzee Dragged Underwater in Seconds
In a matter of seconds, Coetzee's boat capsized and the croc dragged him from the boat. Stookesberry and Korbulic watched on in horror, knowing there was nothing they could do. In a panic, the two went to the nearest village downstream. People told the pair the reptile had likely been around 15 feet long and two tonnes large.
When they arrived at a nearby village, a visibly shaken Korbulic and Stookesberry 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."
Kayak Recovered Without Marks
The kayak was later recovered from the river, but there was no mark on the boat. In 2011, Coetzee's loved ones paid tribute to him in a heartwarming gathering. More than 200 friends and family joined at the falls to pay tribute to Coetzee's memory. A wooden raft filled with flowers and prayer flags, poems, hearts, and photographs was ferried to the middle of the river at sunset, lit on fire, and set free in the rapids.
Pete Meredith, one of Coetzee's closest friends, said of the area he died in: "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 said: "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."
