A SCHOOLBOY was brutally mauled to death by a crocodile after wading into a river to fetch a football in Indonesia.
Muhammad Abidzhar, 13, was playing with his pals on the riverbank in Kutai Kartanegara Regency when the ball fell into the Mahakam River.
The tragic teen ventured around 40ft into the water at around 5am on Monday, before the deadly beast pounced.
Within seconds the boy screamed for help as he battled the current.
Muhammad’s friends then watched in horror as the croc dragged him beneath the murky water.
Panicked, they sprinted back to the village to alert authorities.
A massive search operation was launched, with rescue teams, police and volunteers scouring the croc-infested river using boats and diving gear.
But Meiry Sulindra, head of the Anggana Fire and Rescue Post, said conditions were against his team.
The river was in full flow, swollen by high tide and strong currents – and teeming with deadly predators.
“Indeed the main obstacle in the field is wild animals,” he said.
“There are quite a lot of crocodiles at that location.”
During the desperate hunt, several huge crocs were spotted lurking, including one monster beast stretching nearly 10ft long.
Hours later at 8pm, local fishermen made the grim discovery of the boy’s body drifting a mile downstream as darkness fell.
Shocking footage showed villagers lining the riverbank at night as rescuers recovered the youngster’s remains.
Meiry said: “The victim was found floating, not being carried by an animal.”
Muhammad’s body was immediately transported to a funeral home.
An autopsy later revealed multiple injuries, including wounds to his left jaw, back, and the back of his head.
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
