A man was badly bitten but still escaped with his life after he slipped and fell into a crocodiles pool while walking to take a leak and was savaged by five of the massive reptiles.
The incident took place on a crocodile farm in Kampong Tayong village, in Puok commune, in Puok district, which is in Siem Reap province in Cambodia.
Puok district crocodile farm caretaker Sou Sothea, 37, had been enjoying some beers with family members on the evening of Sunday, 17th April.
They parted their separate ways, and Sothea, as usual, went to sleep in a hammock by the crocodile pool. He woke up at around 1 am on Monday, needing to urinate.
It was when he was crossing a bridge over the pool that he slipped and fell in and was bitten by five of the nearly 50 crocodiles under his care.
A local heard his cries for help and alerted his family members, who rushed to the pool and used sticks to beat off the crocodiles and fish him out.
Police officers arrived on the scene, where they found Sothea covered in bruises and crocodile bites, including bites to his head.
He was first taken to a hospital in Siem Reap. However, due to the serious nature of his injuries, he was transferred to Calmette Hospital, in the capital, Phnom Penh.
There, he received emergency treatment, and he was last reported to be in a serious but stable condition.
Crocodile farming is said to be a widespread economic activity in Puok commune, with baby crocodiles reportedly selling for USD 15 to USD 20 apiece.
The buyers are often said to be from neighbouring Vietnam.
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Story By: William McGee, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Central European News
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