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Masvingo Correspondent
A 42-YEAR-OLD Chiredzi man lost an arm and sustained multiple fractures on his other hand as he wrestled a crocodile that attacked him and tried to pull him into Chiredzi River.Pascal Dyangwe of Crown Range Village 8 under Chief Tshovani is battling for life at Masvingo Provincial Hospital following last Thursday’s attack.

Acting Masvingo Police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nkululeko Nduna could neither confirm nor deny the incident.

Chronicle caught up with Dyangwe at the hospital yesterday where he said he was in excruciating pain.

He told of the horrific moment when he came face to face with the huge reptile.

He said he battled it with his bare hands and had to pull them out of it jaws several times as the brute tried to drag him into a deeper part of the river.

Dyangwe said he was fetching water from the river to water his vegetable garden at around 3PM when the crocodile emerged from behind and attacked him.

“After I was dragged underwater I fell but later regained my composure. I fought the reptile by shoving my hand, which was in its mouth deeper down its throat. It was forced to let go momentarily,” said Dyangwe.

He said he used the brief moment to rush closer to the river bank but the reptile was upon him seconds later.

“I could feel searing pain on my left arm but I continued fighting. The crocodile kept making scary splashing noises in the water and I thought the end had come.”

“I was losing strength and I could see the water around us turning red, showing that I was badly injured. I summoned my remaining energy and made one final push to get out of the river,” said Dyangwe.

He said he only realised the crocodile had gone off with his left arm after reaching dry ground.

By then the crocodile had disappeared into the water.

Dyangwe said he screamed for help and attracted the attention of a passerby who rushed him to hospital.

“A good Samaritan then appeared as I screamed for help and rushed me to Chiredzi District Hospital after which I was transferred to Masvingo General Hospital. I was bleeding so much that the vehicle I was in became slippery and red with my blood. I thank God that at least I am alive even if I have remained with one arm,” he said.

The hospital report revealed Dyangwe sustained multiple compound fractures on his remaining right arm.

A man from Dyangwe’s village said he was a very brave and lucky man.

“Dyangwe heroically fought the reptile until he overpowered it and managed to come out of water but he sustained multiple injuries,” said the man.

“Imagine he lost his left limb while the other one was severely fractured. However, he managed to come out of the water alive as the reptile kept forcing him deep down. He is extremely lucky,” said the man.