Crocodile Bites Off Man's Arm, Leg After Victim Jumps Into River To Escape Charging Elephant

A man in Zimbabwe had a tragic day last week when he lost an arm and a leg in a vicious crocodile attack, while escaping an elephant.

The victim has been identified as 34-year-old Winders Sianene.

Sianene was on his way to Mlibizi River for a fishing expedition when the elephant charged at him. In an attempt to escape the animal's attack, the man jumped into the river, only to end up in the jaws of the deadly creature, the Zimbabwe Situation reported, citing Sunday News.

Sianene told local media after jumping into the water, he felt a sudden, sharp pain in his left leg. When he turned around, he saw the crocodile, which then tried to rip off his left hand. "The pain I felt was very severe but I concentrated on being alive," he said.

After the crocodile bit him, Sianene reportedly shoved his hand down the reptile's mouth in a bid to escape, New Zimbabwe reported. The victim said he "climbed on the crocodile and tightly held its head as l shoved my right hand into its big mouth."

He then began to call for help. People nearby heard his cry and immediately came to his rescue. They then forced its mouth open, following which it swam away.

Sianene's brother Fanikiso Mkombwe said his brother was taken to hospital following the attack.

"Winders was on his way to Mlibizi River when he saw an elephant charging towards him," Mkombwe told Sunday News.

"It was then that he decided to run and jump into the river trying to evade the elephant. Unfortunately, he was attacked by a crocodile in the process. ... He has since been admitted to Mpilo Hospital while his leg and arm have been amputated," Mkombwe added.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesman Tinashe Farawo was quoted as saying by New Zimbabwe: "It is an unfortunate incident that a Binga villager was left disabled after being attacked by a crocodile. We are encouraging people to stay away from water bodies and treat them with caution. People should desist from fishing in these water bodies as they might be infested with crocodiles."