Johandré Blom (7) is currently in an induced coma in a hospital in Alberton. Johandré, his father Corné and mother Amanda Blom from Hartbeepoort, were at the Emanzini Fishing Resort at Roodekopjes Dam with friends when the crocodile attacked.
Johandré and a friend Dylan Bekker were playing in the shallow water a few metres from where their fathers were fishing when a huge crocodile grabbed Johandé. “Dylan screamed and grabbed Johandré trying to pull him away from the crocodile,” said Jannie Bekker, Dylan’s father.
“Johandré’s father Corné dove in and grabbed Johandré. By this time the crocodile had already spun Johandré around three times. Corné is a big man, and while he was holding onto Johandré, he was also spun around,” Bekker said. “The moment Corné managed to pull Johandré free, he saw his left arm was missing. They were both in total shock and I pulled them to the shore.”
Bekker immediately put pressure on the wound by wrapping it in towels and Corné rushed off with his son to Brits. In the meantime, Hartbeespoort Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) was alerted and they met Corné and Johandré along the way.
Johandré was stabilised at Mediclinic Brits and then flown by emergency helicopter to a hospital in Alberton for specialised care.
“He is stable but they are keeping him in an induced coma until Monday,” Bekker said.
“It was a monster of a crocodile. After Johandré was saved, a young man went out in a boat to see if he could find the arm and the crocodile went for the boat. We went to see the owner of the resort and advised that the crocodile be shot. This must not happen again. It was horrendous.”
