Rescuers locate croc attack victim, only to see reptile escape with body

The search for an estate worker who was attacked by a crocodile in Semporna.

KOTA KINABALU: A crocodile has been seen plunging back into a river with its victim, just as search and rescue workers were retrieving the man;s remains in Sungai Pagagau in the Semporna district.

Semporna district police chief Supt Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said that search teams spotted the body of the 36-year-old man in the river but as they approached, the crocodile disappeared with the victim.

He said the Filipino plantation worker was fishing with seven other friends along the river bank at about 3.30pm on Sunday (Jan 30).

"The victim was using a long stick to free his fishing hook that was stuck when a crocodile attacked him and pulled him into the river," he said, adding that the victim worked at Pegagau Plantation.

Supt Farhan said search and rescue efforts continued on Monday (Jan 30).

He said the search operation involved firemen, marine police, wildlife rangers as well as local villagers and plantation workers.

Supt Farhan urged the public to remain alert along rivers.