Seven-year-old Johandré Blom is fighting for his life in the ICU after a crocodile attacked him near Brits on Friday, ripping off his arm while he was playing in shallow water.

His family urgently seeks support as he faces a long road to recovery.

Johandré and a friend played in shallow water during a family fishing trip at the Emanzini Fishing Resort at Roodekopjes Dam on Friday afternoon.

The boys were playing a few metres from where their fathers were fishing when a huge crocodile grabbed Johandé.

His friend Dylan screamed and tried to pull him away, and Johandré’s father, Corné, immediately jumped in to rescue him.

After being spun around by the crocodile, Corné managed to pull Johandré free, but his left arm was torn off.

The family rushed to Brits, where Johandré was stabilized before being airlifted to a hospital in Alberton.

He is in an induced coma and stable, though doctors are closely monitoring his condition.

According to a family friend who started the Back A Buddy Fund, Juan van der Merwe, there is still a long road ahead for his care and rehabilitation, and the medical bills are astronomical.

“All funds raised will be used to pay the hospital fees and future medical bills.”

Click here to help the family.

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