A holiday relaxation trip turned into a nightmare survival story when a 38-year-old woman was violently seized by a crocodile while bathing in a Malaysian river.
The terrifying incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon in the Kinabatangan River in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, where the woman was enjoying a cooling dip with friends.
The Moment of Terror
According to local police chief Superintendent Saiman Kasim, the woman was suddenly grabbed by the reptile and dragged approximately 30 feet through the water. "The crocodile bit her body and pulled her away from the riverbank," Superintendent Kasim confirmed.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as the woman disappeared beneath the murky waters, with the crocodile maintaining its grip on her body.
Heroic Fishermen to the Rescue
In an extraordinary turn of events, local fishermen who witnessed the attack immediately sprang into action. Launching their boats, they pursued the crocodile and managed to frighten the predator into releasing its victim.
"The victim was rescued by members of the public, namely local fishermen who used a boat," police officials stated, praising the quick-thinking rescuers.
Survival Against the Odds
Miraculously, the woman survived the brutal attack and was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment. Medical staff confirmed she sustained serious injuries but is now in stable condition.
The Kinabatangan River is known to be home to saltwater crocodiles, which can grow up to 20 feet in length and are considered highly dangerous to humans.
Local Wildlife Warnings
This shocking incident has prompted renewed warnings from local authorities about the dangers of swimming in rivers known to contain crocodiles. "People need to be very careful when near rivers, especially during the rainy season when crocodiles are more active," a wildlife official advised.
The attack serves as a stark reminder of the very real dangers that can lurk in seemingly peaceful natural waterways, particularly in tropical regions where large predators are common.
