Crocodile drags man into sea in Mexico

A crocodile dragged a 28-year-old man into the sea, biting his thigh and causing his death.

Irving Mauricio, 28, a Mexico City resident, was attacked by a crocodile at 6:30 p.m. on 26/6 while on Marina Vallarta beach, near the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa in Jalisco, Mexico.

Jalisco police reported the victim was dragged into the sea. His body was found 12 hours later, about 300 meters from shore, early on 27/6 after an overnight search operation.

Puerto Vallarta beach, Jalisco, Mexico. Photo: AFP

Two witnesses attempted to rescue the victim but were unsuccessful. Jamie Yetter and her fiance Chris Bury, two US citizens from Orange County, were at a nearby resort when Irving was attacked.

"We had just finished an evening stroll and jumped into the pool when we heard frantic screams from the beach", Yetter said. "Chris and I are both strong swimmers, as we are from Southern California. We immediately got out of the pool to see what was happening."

"Initially, we thought someone was being swept away by a rip current. Chris immediately rushed into the water, and I followed him", Yetter recalled.

They grabbed a kayak and paddled out to sea to reach the victim. "But there were no paddles then; there really weren't any tools on the beach to help. We were frantically searching for a way, trying to do everything we could, but he was still dragged under", Bury recounted.

Jamie Yetter and her fiance Chris Bury. Photo: People

Yetter described the crocodile as enormous, making the situation very difficult and dangerous.

"The crocodile clamped down on his thigh. Its size was terrifying; its head was as long as my entire torso, and its tail was thicker than my leg. It spun around and pulled him under", she recounted.

"I was right above where he went under, but the water was too murky; I couldn't even see anything at less than 30 centimeters. By the time I reached him, it was too late", Bury stated. "This has really weighed heavily on us."

Irving was traveling with a group of friends when the incident occurred. According to Yetter, warning signs for jellyfish, stingrays, and crocodiles were posted along the path from the hotel to the beach.

Local authorities reminded residents to obey warning signs and avoid entering the water in areas with wildlife, particularly estuaries and mangroves.