KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA: Safari guide Mark Montgomery had the terrible experience of being dragged into a river by a 12-foot crocodile as helpless tourists gasped in surprise. The onlookers were terrified to watch the gigantic beast bite 52-year-old Montgomery while he was working as a tour guide in South Africa.
Montgomery, who was the tour guide for the group traveling the 400-mile Kruger Trail, was attacked by a crocodile when he went to the river to fetch some water, according to The Sun. Almost near the end of the safari, the guide witnessed the horrifying event take place. It typically takes three years to complete the trail by performing two legs a year. Every year, spots on the walk are put up for auction, with the proceeds going toward Kruger National Park preservation. The Kruger National Park is South Africa's biggest and oldest park.
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'I was in its jaws and underwater and being taken down'
Montgomery described the crocodile attack to the YouTube channel Wildside Trails & Training, stating, "It was so quick, so quick. I didn’t even see it come out the water. I only had time to say 'Oh s**t' and I was in its jaws and underwater and being taken down. I had managed to pull my hand back as it struck otherwise it would have had my whole arm in its mouth."
The seasoned explorer Montgomery acknowledged that he was immediately engaged in a battle for his life. He said, "I put my hand around its neck and tried to poke its eyes and deter him as I was kicking up off the bottom to get to the surface."
Montgomery continued, "The crocodile started the roll and I was using my right leg to turn with it and at that moment it just let go of my hand and I breached the surface five feet from the bank." He managed to escape safely by grabbing a tree branch and pulling himself up to the edge of the bank.
'I am lucky there is no infection'
Montgomery said, "There were first aiders in camp who washed the wounds and called a vehicle, which took me to the mediclinic at Nelspruit where they carried out three surgeries on it. They fixed the fractures with pins and plates and stitched up all the teeth marks. I am lucky there is no infection and I should get full use of it back in time."
Regarding the attack, Montgomery said, "Being underwater with the crocodile seemed like an age but when I surfaced the time it took to swim to the bank seemed to be forever. You are just waiting for that thing to get you again and time just stands still. But I had said to myself there is no way this crocodile is killing me today and I am getting out."
