Man survives crocodile attack

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Thursday 18th April 2013

 By ARMSTRONG SAIYAMA

A  MAN was brutally attacked by a crocodile last Saturday at the Morata swamp in Port Moresby.

Kelehi Molen, aged 25 from Abau, Central, went alone to Morata swamp at 6pm to have a bath when he was attacked by a crocodile.

He said the crocodile jumped and covered him in swamp water. 

“I took off my clothes and tried to get into the water when the crocodile came from behind and jumped at me. Then it covered me as I sank into the water,” Molen said.

He said the crocodile gripped his right hand and dragged him into the water.

“When I struggled to take my right hand out of the crocodile’s mouth, the crocodile bit my shoulder,” Molen said.

He told The National yesterday that it was a miracle he was still alive.

“I call upon the name of Jesus Christ, and the crocodile just released me back,” Molen said.

He said he ran back to his house, some 20m away from Morata swamp, and was taken by an ambulance to the St John Hospital at 

Gerehu.

He was treated and referred for surgery at the Port Moresby General Hospital.

“This is a first crocodile attack to a patient in NCD admitted here,” sister-in-charge of Ward 3B Tuka Kuto said.

She said Molen was brutally attacked by the crocodile and was lucky to be alive.

“His skin was cut and his bones were broken in his right arm.

She said Molen would have a surgery and pins would be inserted to his broken right arm.

Molen’s grand father, John Kawage, appealed to city authorities to connect water supply into the Morata area.

Kawage said the crocodile attack was the result of the settlers having no water supply and were using the Morata swamp.