Wildlife worker dies after being mauled by crocodile in front of visitors

A worker has tragically died after being mauled by a crocodile in front of horrified visitors at a wildlife park.

The man was attacked on Saturday at Adventure Park in Port Moresby, in Papua New Guinea.

He was working inside a fenced crocodile enclosure during a feeding session when the attack happened.

Eyewitnesses say the man was dragged into the water by the crocodile and suffered severe injuries before emergency services could reach him.

The worker was taken to 3 Mile General Hospital following the attack but died from his injuries at about 7am on Sunday, according to ABC News.

Onlookers told reporters it was a terrifying scene as visitors gathered around the enclosure while the man clung to the edge of the pool.

Video shared on social media appeared to show the crocodile with its jaws around the worker's legs as people desperately tried to help.

The shocking incident took place during a feeding time at the park (ABC News)

Eyewitness Gibson John told ABC that the incident happened as the worker attempted to feed the crocodile.

“He brought the chicken to the fence and the crocodile attacked the person and tried to bring him into the pool," John said

He explained that the crocodile shockingly kept hold of the man's legs for more than an hour before police and medical personnel arrived.

Security guards reportedly did not have firearms available but gave the injured worker a small iron rod in an attempt to help him.

“He was in severe pain but he couldn't scream,” the eyewitness said, adding: “I've never seen something like this before. I couldn't believe what I saw."

He added that the victim struggled to speak and that the extent of his suffering was visible, and recalled hearing him say "I haven't done anything wrong.”

As well as offering him the rod through the fence to try and defend himself, another onlooker tried to support him and hold him up from the side of the pool.

Visitors were eventually ushered away from the area as police dealt with the crocodile.

Officers reportedly shot the animal in order to free the injured worker, who was then taken to hospital.

The worker had reportedly been employed by the park for two years (ABC News)

The eyewitness said he later heard the worker had lost a leg, before it was revealed he had sadly died.

The Port Moresby attraction regularly holds crocodile-feeding demonstrations for visitors to watch.

It has been reported that the worker had been employed at the park for about two years prior to the incident.

Adventure Park has been closed until further notice following the fatal attack.

Staff are also preparing for the worker's funeral.

Authorities and park officials have yet to provide further details about the circumstances that led to the attack or whether any additional safety measures will be introduced before the attraction eventually reopens.

The incident comes months after a three-year-old boy suffered serious injuries after ending up in a crocodile enclosure at a UK zoo.

The unnamed boy has been through multiple surgeries following the attack, which took place at Johnson's Zoo in Cambridgeshire on 18 June.

His family issued an update in August, saying the youngster is now 'playing with his toys, sleeping in his own bed and being a big brother' following the traumatic injuries.

A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the incident with the little boy at the zoo.