A British tourist is reportedly missing after being pulled underwater by a crocodile at a popular surfing spot in Sri Lanka.
The man, in his 20s, is said to have been snatched by a crocodile near a beach known as Elephant Rock after he wandered off to find a secluded spot to go to the bathroom.
Witnesses say he was seen ‘waving his hands in the air’ for help before being pulled under water at a lagoon known as Crocodile Rock.
The British tourist, in his 20s, is said to have snatched at a lagoon known as Crocodile Rock, pictured, in Sri Lanka
The area, known for its large population of crocodiles, sits just yards away from Elephant Rock, a beach south of Arugam Bay
Sri Lankan police and the army are said to be searching the shore surrounding the area.
Another British man, who is currently on holiday in the area, but wishes to remain anonymous, today said: ‘A British tourist was at a surf spot called Elephant rock.
‘There’s a lagoon right next to the sea he went to the toilet next to the lagoon and was grabbed by a crocodile.
‘There are lots in the lagoon. People last saw his arms in the air in the water and then was grabbed under. I was there but didn’t see it happen though. Horrible.
‘They are searching for a body but haven’t found anything yet.
The male tourist, in his 20s was reportedly snatched by the crocodile as he was going to find a toilet near a popular surfing spot (stock image)
Disappearance: The man is said to have been at a beach known as Elephant Rock
Witnesses: An Australian man named Sean Carroll posted about the incident on Facebook
‘The army were down and there are people put on boats checking the shore because crocodile won’t eat anything in water they will take it on to dry land to eat prey.
‘They are 90 per cent sure it was a crocodile but a couple of the guys said there was quicksand in the lagoon.’
‘A few people that knew the guy were just on the ground, I didn’t get that close but they all just seemed in shock and not saying much.
‘There were a large crowd of Sri Lankan men surrounding them and they had bits of paper.’
Another shocked witness, Sean Carroll, from New South Wales, Australia, wrote on social media: ‘A croc just took a tourist bloke in Sri Lanka.
‘He was walking on a beach where a small river meets the sea, it’s named Crocodile Rock for that reason obviously. He still hasn’t been retrieved from river. Heavy.’
‘I’m sure he was close to the river for it to take him. Police looking and army too.’
Killer crocs: The alleged crocodile attack is the second in Sri Lanka this year
This is not the first crocodile attack in Sri Lanka this year. In April, a 13-year-old girl was attacked and dragged away by a crocodile while she was enjoying a day out with her family at Pulnewa Lake, in Galnewa.
The girl was reported missing by her family, who said they saw her being dragged into the water by the large reptile.
In July last year, a 60-year-old Sri Lankan man was also killed in a crocodile attack.
He had been fishing in the Paayindan River in Sammanthurai when he was attacked. A 57-year-old woman was also killed in 2014, in the Ambalantota area.