Victim of Crocodile attack wakes up from induced coma
Devin Swasey
A Crooked Tree man is slowly recovering at the K.H.M.H. after he was attacked by a crocodile, believed to be up to fourteen feet in length. It happened last week in the Crooked Tree Lagoon, which Devin Swasey is familiar with since he earns his living from spear fishing. News Five’s Andrea Polanco reports.
Andrea Polanco, Reporting
Thirty year old Devin Swasey remains hospitalized in the K.H.M.H. after he was attacked by a crocodile on Thursday afternoon around two. He was in an induced coma following the incident but today his mother says he is recovering.
Elsa Swasey, Mother of Devin Swasey
“Well, right now he is improving and ih di tek ih rest. He tell wi how ih wah go home and ih sista tell ah he must not worry fi go home right now because he gone through wah heavy fight he and the alligator. Suh deh tell ah as soon as he get betta he gwein home.”
Andrea Polanco
“To which parts of his body did he receive injuries?”
Elsa Swasey
“On his head and forehead and shoulder.”
Swasey and two other men were in the Blackburn area of the Crooked Tree Lagoon, spear fishing when he was mauled by what his family says was a huge croc.
Elsa Swasey
Elsa Swasey
“Well they tell me that when they mi deh together in the waata ih say that ih hear like fish beat; heart beat and ih wah go si how the fish deh stand and when ih gone deh nuh si ah again so they say deh have to guh look fi ah and when they gone deh nuh si ah and fi wah lee while deh si like wah lee bubbles di come up and when they look deh si ih head and when deh pick up ah ih partly done dead. They had to pump ah and dah suh ih come up back.”
Andrea Polanco
“So did his friends see the crocodile?”
Elsa Swasey
“Yes.”
Andrea Polanco
“How big did they say it was?”
Elsa Swasey
“About fourteen feet.”
While all three are seasoned spear fishermen and familiar with the waters in the Blackburn area; this is a risk they take to earn their living.
Andrea Polanco
“Is this the first time they are seeing a crocodile back there?”
Elsa Swasey
“No, all the time.”
Andrea Polanco
“So of course, it’s a risk that they take?”
Elsa Swasey
“Aha, yes, it’s a risk because all the time they see them.”
Andrea Polanco
“First time they are being attacked by one?”
Elsa Swasey
“Yeah.”
Andrea Polanco
“Now do they do spear fishing as a part of their livelihood; is that what they do?”
Elsa Swasey
“Yes, yes, that’s his life.”
Andrea Polanco
“Now, from what I understand, he takes care of you and his nieces and nephews?”
Elsa Swasey
“Yes, he’s my bread basket.”
And while he almost lost his life; Swasey says this near tragic incident won’t stop her son from earning an income.
Andrea Polanco
“So, will he go back to spear fishing again?”
Elsa Swasey
“Well, oh yes, dat Anuh wah stop ah because ih mi get the spear gun already in his hand and he mi inna hospital bout two weeks.”
Andrea Polanco
“What about his friends, are they considering to go back into the…”
Elsa Swasey
“Well deh say deh nuh gwein back inna the waata fi dive; deh weh use the net this time.”
Reporting for News Five, I’m Andrea Polanco.
