Thaindian News

By Gina Gomez
Johannesburg, Dec 10, (THAINDIAN NEWS) In a tragic twist of fate, renowned South African outdoorsman Hendrik Coetzee supposedly lost his life after he was attacked by a crocodile while leading an extremely adventurous kayaking expedition. In the incident that took place earlier this week, the noted whitewater guide and outdoorsman was dragged from her kayak by a crocodile at the Lukuga River in the Democratic Republic of Congo. During the incident, Hendrik Coetzee was also accompanied by two American kayakers, Chris Korbulic and Ben Stookesberry but fortunately both of them were able to paddle back to safety despite the attack by the crocodile.

The news that the kayaking expedition was struck by tragedy has been affirmed by Eddie Bauer who was the main sponsor of the trip in a statement that has been released in the official website of his company. In the statement, the expedition sponsor expressed deepest condolences for Hendrik Coetzee family and friends while adding that the tragic incident has left them extremely saddened. While talking about the expedition during which the incident took place, Eddie Bauer reiterated that the main aim of the Africa kayak expedition was to know more about the whitewater of the region that continues to remain unexplored while also concentrating on the people and the free water issue that exists in Central Africa.

Despite the fact that it is being presumed that Hendrick Coetzee was killed by the crocodile attack, his body has not been recovered till now. The two American kayakers who were able to escape unscathed in the incident are still in Congo at present but are expected to return to United States shortly.