News

Man wars with croc - 'Mi know whe him live and mi definitely have a intention to kill him...'

A FISHERMAN WHO went out to catch crabs in Milk River, Clarendon became the catch of the day for a second time when a crocodile snuck up and bit him.

Oral "Yellow" Lee, a fisherman from Gimme Mi Bit, Clarendon has survived two crocodile attacks and is still battling the effects of one which occurred three weeks ago.

On the first occasion, a crocodile tried to drown him but he escaped with the help of friends, but the second time he was alone and had to fight with all his might.

Although Lee is grateful that he has escaped from the crocodile, he has vowed to seek revenge for his injuries whenever he returns to that part of the river. "Mi know weh him live and mi definitely have a intention to kill him when mi go back deh," he told THE STAR.

He adds that since his attack, he has found out that the crocodile has tried to attack another fisherman, but he too escaped. "Him (the crocodile) bite afta one bredda inna di district before but mi tink dem (NEPA) did ketch him an let him go," he said.

Lee said the recent attack occurred within seconds after he had turned his back to secure his crab catch.

"Mi go ketch crab, and him did under waan stump a lie dung, but mi neva see him. Mi ketch di crab dem and tun round fi put dem inna di boat and it just spring up and grab mi," Lee told THE STAR.

He said the animal bit through his pants and into his thigh sinking its teeth, which he said were as long as his index finger and white like a cigarette, deep into his skin. Lee said he decided he must stop the reptile. "Mi carry round mi hand and lick it pan him nose and him lie down," he said.

He said he spent a few moments watching the crocodile after it had let go and tried to find enough strength to leave the river. "Mi did seh mi nah look pan it (the bite) or mi might feel worse," Lee said. He also said he does not know where he found the strength to walk away but he felt a higher source helped him. "Mi just feel seh a God carry mi."

Doctor's orders

Lee went to the doctor where he received several injections, pain medication and still has to go every two days to have the bandages changed. The doctor has also ordered that he rest his leg.

He says he is happy he survived both attacks from the crocodile. Lee said in the first attack, it was the same resilience and determination that helped him to escape death. "The first time mi and mi seconds di deh deh and it come up and grab mi and carry mi go a water bottom go lie down wid mi," he said.

Lee said he was determined to escape. "Mi did decide fi drag out mi hand otta him mout and mi tek time seh mi a draw out mi hand and him grab on tighter, " he said.

He said after several minutes, the other fishermen who were at the river with him had not realised that he had disappeared and were about to leave when they saw the crocodile float to the water's surface. He said the fishermen sprang into action using their fish guns to shoot the reptile who immediately went into a frenzied spin before releasing Lee.

The animal did not survive the fishermen's attack and died and, although Lee survived, 29 teeth marks in his left arm are testimony of his interaction with the reptile.

In the meantime Lee said although he has been attacked twice and had several near misses, he said he is forced to continue being a fisherman. "If mi coulda get another job mi woulda stop but mi is a fisherman a dat mi train fi do," he said.

He notes that the attack has certainly made him more suspicious of his surroundings and has forced him to be extra careful.

"A man learn by his mistake suh how mi get di bite nah happen to me again," he said.