'No human being stands a chance against that type of animal': American tourists speak of horror after tour guide is ripped from kayak by giant crocodile

• 'It grabbed him from behind, turned him upside down and pulled him under the water'
• Attack happened so fast victim was unable to even cry out before he was dragged underwater
• Body of Hendrik Coetzee, 35, still not recovered after attack on Tuesday

Two American friends have spoken of their horror after their whitewater rafting guide was ripped from his kayak and dragged underwater by a crocodile during a trip of a lifetime in the Congo.
Hendrik Coetzee, 35, was leading the three-man expedition from the source of the White Nile deep into the Congo when he was attacked.
Ben Stookesbury and Chris Korbulic were paddling alongside him after the trio had navigated some rapids when he was grabbed by the massive crocodile, turned over and dragged beneath the water.

Split second: Hendrik Coetzee, 35, was leading a three-man expedition on the Lakuga River, Congo, when he was grabbed by a crocodile and pull underwater

They had been navigating a relatively unknown part of the Lukuga River, one of the tributaries that feeds into the Congo River, before the fatal attack last Tuesday morning.
Mr Stookesbury, from Mount Shasta, California, told MSNBC's TODAY programme: 'This section was not well known to the outside world.
'We were paddling close together, the same formation we had been for most of the river, because it makes you appear as a larger animal [to potential predators].'

Horror: Chris Korbulic, left, and Ben Stookesbury - right - pictured in front of the Salto Belo falls in Campos Novos, Brazil. The two friends were alongside Mr Coetzee when he was killed

Grief: The two Americans have paid tribute to their South African guide and described their shock at his death

Mr Korbulic, from Rogue River, Oregon, said the South African-born outdoorsman did not even have time to cry out before the crocodile had dragged him under.
He said: 'It came from behind us, we didn't see anything until it was too late.
'It grabbed him, turned him upside down and then dragged him under.'

Dangerous: The area the group were kayaking was relatively unknown and the three were paddling close together for safety

Ron Magill, wildlife expert, said: 'There's no human being that stands a chance against that type of animal.'
Mr Coetzee's body has not been found, but a memorial service will be held for him next week.
A blog written by Mr Coetzee during their two-month expedition to highlight the need for clean water in Africa said: 'If safe was all I wanted, I would have stayed home... this is the nature of the beast: risk.'
Mr Coetzee had given the other kayakers instructions to avoid eddies because of dangerous hippos wallowing underwater and to steer clear of banks because crocodiles often sunned themselves on them.
The two Americans were unharmed in the incident and managed to paddle to safety. They have since returned to the U.S., but have not ruled out kayaking again in Africa.
The trip's sponsor company, Eddie Bauer, said in a statement: 'We are saddened by the tragic accident and express our deepest sympathies to Hendri's family and friends.'
Mr Coetzee, who lived in Uganda, was a well-known kayaker who had featured in documentaries about the sport.


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