While celebrating his birthday at the Amaya View amusement park in the Philippines in 2021, Nehemias Chipada came across what he believed was a realistic model of a crocodile. He decided to take a selfie with the creature.
He climbed into the enclosure with the ‘model’, holding his phone in one hand with his other hand dangling by his waist.
However, the seemingly harmless moment Nehemias was sharing with his family turned into a brutal attack when the 12-foot-long crocodile unexpectedly pounced on him, pulling him into the water.
Fortunately, Nehemias was able to break free from the crocodile’s grasp and flee with all of his limbs intact.
Nehemias’s wounds were attended to by the amusement park’s staff, who wrapped several handkerchiefs tightly around his arms and hands to control the bleeding. He was then transferred to the Northern Mindanao Medical Centre for further treatment.
Upon examination, it was discovered that Nehemias had suffered from fractured bones and eight lacerations on his left arm and thigh that required stitches.
Nehemias also had a three-inch crocodile tooth embedded in his flesh due to the force of the attack. He required multiple surgeries to repair his broken bones.
While the amusement park agreed to cover Nehemias’s medical expenses, they refuted any negligence claims regarding their failure to warn visitors about the dangerous animal.
Nehemias’s family held the amusement park responsible for neglecting to post signs cautioning visitors to avoid the dangerous reptile.
According to the Chief Operating Officer, Candy Unabia, the area where the incident occurred is designated as restricted, and warning signs and frequent reminders from tour guides were in place.
