Dad-of-two savaged to death by five crocodiles after falling into enclosure

Father-of-two Sou Sothea, 37, was rushed to hospital after his wife heard him shouting and called for help, but tragically he did not survive his injuries

A dad died after falling into a crocodile enclosure hours after celebrating a new year festival with his family.

Father-of-two Sou Sothea, 37, had reportedly been drinking with relatives to mark the annual ‘Choul Chnam Thmey’ festival in the Siem Reap province, Cambodia, on April 17.

He then returned to the farm where he worked to check on the crocodiles and feed them.

But tragically, Sou fell asleep in a hammock overlooking their enclosure.

The dad woke up in the night to go to the toilet in the village of Tayong in Puok.

While crossing a narrow walkway over one of the concrete pools, the man lost his footing and fell down where five adult beasts – which were being cultivated for their leather and meat – savaged him.

Sou’s shocked wife Srey, 35, heard him shouting and called neighbours for help who leapt into the pool and chased the reptiles away with a stick.

Sou was rushed to hospital but did not survive his fatal injuries and was later tragically pronounced dead.

The widow said: “This was my worst nightmare.

“We all knew how dangerous the crocodiles are but my husband was never worried about them.

“I panicked when I saw him being attacked by the crocodiles.

“My heart is broken because he was my husband and soulmate.

“My children have lost their father. I’m in so much pain.”

Puok District Inspector of the Siem Reap Province Colonel Tip Pumsen said the pool where Sou fell had a total of 20 male and female crocodiles.

Rescue officers arrived at their home and gave Sou first aid treatment before being rushed to the hospital where he was found covered in wounds from head to toe.

Both his arms had deep wounds from being bitten deeply by the animals.

Medics at the Calmette Hospital in Phnom Penh battled to save the father but he succumbed to his injuries two days later on April 19 afternoon.

Family members went to take his body home on April 20 where they prepared a funeral ceremony for him led by his wife and two sons.

Police said: “The incident happened around midnight after the party.

“He went to sleep in a hammock next to the crocodile pool to guard them but he fell when he walked up to relieve himself.

“His injuries were too severe to recover from. Our condolences are with the victim’s family.”