Ammon News - A South African hotelier is believed to have been eaten by a 15ft crocodile after human remains were found inside the swollen reptile.

The animal was shot from a helicopter and airlifted from the crocodile-infested Komati River in a daring police operation before a post-mortem examination was carried out.

A ring was found inside the belly of the 500kg apex predator and is thought to have belonged to Gabriel Batista, 59.

The businessman was swept away in floodwaters while trying to drive across the Komati River in the north-east of the country a week ago.

Investigators will carry out DNA tests on the bones and flesh found inside the crocodile.

Batista’s four-wheel-drive vehicle became stuck when he attempted to cross the Komati River last week. He is believed to have been swept away by the floodwaters.

It is not known whether Batista had drowned by the time he was attacked by the crocodiles or if he was eaten alive.

The Telegraph