Jajpur: A 67-year-old man was dragged into the Patia River by a crocodile in Barei village under Tandara panchayat in Jajpur district Friday. The victim, Gajendra Majhi, had entered the river to wash himself when a crocodile lurking near the bank attacked him, bit his leg and pulled him into the water.
Hearing his cries, nearby residents rushed to the spot and saw the reptile dragging him towards the middle of the river.
His clothes were later found floating near the bank. The locals alerted the Jajpur Road fire services, whose personnel reached the spot and monitored the crocodile’s movements. During the operation, the reptile was reportedly seen lifting the man above the water in its jaws before disappearing into the deeper section of the river.
Fire personnel searched for the victim for several hours but could not locate him and eventually returned.