Baby boy is eaten alive by a crocodile in front of his father in Malaysia

A one-year-old boy was eaten alive and his father seriously injured by a crocodile while they were rowing on a river in Malaysia.

The youngster was snatched from the canoe by the beast while the pair were fishing off the coast of Lahad Datu in Sabah on Thursday morning.

His frantic father tried to fend off the savage reptile but it easily overpowered him.

He scrambled onto the banks with multiple bite wounds, including a large gash on his head.

The youngster was snatched from the canoe by the beast while the pair were fishing off the coast of Lahad Datu in Sabah. The crocodile is pictured with the one-year-old child (right), which was spotted in the water by villagers (left)

Villagers rescued the dad, a Palauh tribesman reported to be in his 40s, but the crocodile had already dragged his son into the depths.

It later emerged on the surface with the mutilated body of the youngster in its jaws before sinking back into the water with the corpse.

Sumsoa Rashid, head of the Lahad Datu Fire and Rescue Agency, said: ‘The father suffered serious head and body injuries. His son is still missing and search operations are ongoing.

‘The man has been taken to the Lahad Datu Hospital for medical treatment.’

The father suffered a large gash to his head while trying to save his boy

The Royal Malaysian Police and marine police have joined the local fire department in their search for the body of the boy.

Officials have also warned villagers living along the stretch of the river to stay out of the water due to the threat of a repeat croc attack.

Sumsoa added: ‘Many residents there rely on the river for their food and livelihood so they need to go into the water.

‘We have warned them of the extra dangers at the moment and to be especially careful because the crocodile is likely to be still in the area.’