South African cop rappels into croc river to fish out remains

South African police completed what they’re calling a “highly dangerous and complex operation” by recovering human remains from a crocodile-infested river in the country’s northeast. The recovery required Captain Johan Potgieter, commander of a police diving unit, to be lowered from a helicopter into the Komati River to retrieve a 4.5-meter crocodile suspected of consuming a missing businessman.

The businessman’s car became stranded while attempting to cross a low bridge during last week’s flooding. By the time authorities arrived, the vehicle sat empty, prompting officials to assume floodwaters had swept the driver away.

Using drones and helicopters to scout the area, police spotted an island where several crocodiles were sunbathing. Based on years of experience, Potgieter and his team identified one animal displaying telltale signs of a recent meal: a massively distended belly and unusual lethargy despite the noise from aircraft overhead. The reptile was then killed.

Potgieter described his descent into the river as nerve-wracking, particularly given the proximity to the animal’s business end. Once he’d secured the 500-kilogram crocodile with rope, both man and reptile were hoisted to safety.

The crocodile was transported to nearby Kruger National Park, where examination of its intestines revealed human remains along with six different types of shoes. Potgieter noted this peculiar inventory doesn’t necessarily confirm multiple victims, since crocodiles consume virtually anything they encounter. “A crocodile will eat or swallow anything,” he explained.

DNA testing is underway to confirm whether the recovered remains belong to the missing businessman. South Africa’s acting police chief, Lt-Gen Puleng Dimpane, publicly commended Potgieter for his bravery during the recovery operation.

The incident comes as South Africa continues managing widespread flooding that has claimed multiple lives across the region.