Three friends stood helpless as crocodile attacked victim - Police

LAHAD DATU - A farm worker died after being attacked by a crocodile while catching crab at Kampung Tinagian Tanjung Labian on Wednesday.

The body of the 23-year-old was found at 7.20am with bite marks and scratches on the body at the beachside near Kampung Tanjung Batu Army camp.

Lahad Datu district police chief Assistant Commissioner Dr Rohan Shah Ahmad said the victim and his three friends had gone to the area to catch crabs during the incident.

"The three friends who witnessed the victim being attacked by a crodile couldn't do anything as it happened so fast and the victim went missing in the waters.

"Not long after, the victim was found lying on the beach, and there were bite marks on the left arm and head as well as scratches on the chest, back of the neck, and back," he said in a statement.

Rohan Shah said a team of police from Kencana police station arrived at the location to take the body to Lahad Datu Hospital.

"The body was taken to the forensic department for an autopsy, and the case was classified as sudden death," he said.

He meanwhile also advised the local community who carry out activities in the sea or river to be more careful following the presence of the reptile around the waters of this district.

"This is the first case of the year, but the public is asked to be more careful because these animals can threaten human life," he said.