Crocodile Handler Dies Following One Hour Jaw Trap Attack and Heartbreaking Final Words

A crocodile handler at a wildlife park in Papua New Guinea has died after the animal held his legs in its jaws for more than an hour during a feeding demonstration, as witnesses tried to help free him before emergency services arrived.

The worker was attacked inside a fenced enclosure at Adventure Park in Port Moresby on Saturday, 5 September. He was taken to 3 Mile General Hospital after being freed but later died from his injuries. The witness also shared what he believed were the handler's heartbreaking final words.

Crocodile Handler Attacked

The man was reportedly feeding the crocodile a chicken when the animal seized both the food and his leg and dragged him towards the pool. Adventure Park later confirmed the incident occurred during a non-scheduled feeding demonstration and described the victim as a senior, highly experienced animal keeper.

Footage shared on social media appeared to show the handler clinging to the edge of the pool while the crocodile held his legs in its jaws. A crowd gathered around the enclosure, with one person offering him a pole through the fence while another appeared to support him from the edge of the pool.

Eyewitness Gibson John told ABC News that the crocodile kept the man's legs in its mouth for more than an hour before help arrived. He said security guards lacked firearms and instead gave the injured worker a small iron rod while St John Ambulance and police were contacted.

'I've never seen something like this before. I couldn't believe what I saw,' John said. He added that the man was in severe pain and could not scream or speak properly. 'It was the pain I could see from his eyes,' John said.

John said the only words he could hear the worker say were: 'I haven't done anything wrong.'

The incident unfolded in front of visitors at the attraction, with footage from the incident later shared online. The footage has circulated, although the victim has not been publicly identified.

Police Euthanise Crocodile During Rescue

Visitors were ushered out of the park as police responded to the attack. Officers ultimately euthanised the crocodile during the rescue operation to free the injured handler, according to a statement from Adventure Park published by the National Capital District Commission.

The park said emergency services were contacted immediately and that the keeper was successfully freed before being transported to hospital for urgent treatment. Despite medical efforts, he died from his injuries at 7am on Sunday, 6 September.

The worker was understood to have been from the Western Islands in northern Papua New Guinea and had worked at Adventure Park for about two years. His identity has not been publicly disclosed.

Adventure Park Closed After Crocodile Attack

Adventure Park has been closed until further notice following the death. Staff members who witnessed the attack were reportedly gathering at a funeral home to mourn their colleague.

The attraction regularly holds crocodile feeding demonstrations involving close interaction between staff and the reptiles. Adventure Park said it had launched an internal review into the circumstances surrounding the incident, including its existing safety procedures for animal handling, crocodile management and feeding demonstrations.

The park also expressed its condolences to the handler's family, friends and colleagues, describing him as a valued member of its team. Management asked the public and media to respect the privacy of those grieving while the review continues.