Hazyview man loses two fingers to croc

Hendrik Erasmus (39), a pastor of Church Unlimited Hazyview, had his index and middle fingers bitten off during a life-threatening encounter with a crocodile on Saturday March 16.

At about 15:00, Erasmus and his nine-year-old son ventured out to a river near town. They constructed a swing using wood, rope and a piece of hosepipe and decided to use it to swing into the river.

Erasmus said after he had tested the swing, it was his son’s turn. He said as he stood in the knee-deep water, about four to five metres from the riverbank, Erasmus noticed his son struggling to grab the swing. As he walked over to assist him, he thought a branch hit his leg and he wanted to push it away. That is when the crocodile grabbed his right hand.

Erasmus said as he attempted to free his hand from the crocodile’s bite, he realised he couldn’t – he was still far away from the riverbank and it would be difficult to escape the river, and therefore it would increase the possibility of a second attack. He instructed his son to seek help by going to the bakkie and phoning his mother and telling her about the incident.

Erasmus said as he and the crocodile were carried downstream and the water was now shoulder-deep, he realised he needed to keep the crocodile’s mouth closed, remembering that crocodiles struggle to open their jaws. Amid the struggle, he realised it was not a physical attack, but rather a spiritual one, and he began to pray. Erasmus said he took his authority in Christ and demanded the crocodile to leave him. When he saw the crocodile did not let go of his hand, he asked God for forgiveness. Erasmus said he realised that by not scouting the river as he usually does, he placed his life and his son’s in danger.

Erasmus said he managed to regain his footing and manoeuvre towards the riverbank.

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Despite attempting to blind the crocodile, Erasmus said he was unable to free his hand until he continued praying, at which point the crocodile released its grip. Erasmus was then reunited with his son. He took stock of the injuries to his hand and returned home.

Upon arrival at their house, some friends assisted Erasmus by transporting him to Mediclinic Nelspruit’s emergency unit, where his medical expenses were generously covered by members of Church Unlimited Hazyview.

Erasmus underwent surgery later that afternoon and was discharged the same day. He has since attended two follow-up appointments, and the medical professionals seemed satisfied with his recovery.