Woman Killed by Crocodile After Night Swim

© 2000

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - A South African woman was killed by a crocodile late Friday night while taking a romantic midnight swim, a local newspaper said Tuesday.

The Star newspaper said the dismembered remains of 22-year-old Tracy Hunt were recovered by wildlife officers and police Sunday in Lake St. Lucia, 36 hours after her boyfriend reported the attack.

The pair were having a romantic dip shortly before midnight Friday when Hunt screamed out in pain. Her boyfriend, Claudio Celestino, turned and saw Hunt disappear beneath the water. He also reported seeing a crocodile.

They were swimming at the mouth of the lake where it meets the ocean, an area where sharks and crocodiles are often seen.

Lake St. Lucia's waters are infested with crocodiles and hippopotamuses -- which kill more people than any other wild mammal in Africa. The lake has several signs warning visitors about the dangers.

-- Uncle Bob (unclb0b@aol.com), December 12, 2000

Answers

So "romantic" means ignoring warning signs. Nature weeds out the stupid.

-- Johnn Littmann (littmannj@aol.com), December 12, 2000.

Nature weeds out the stupid.

And you can actually win an award for being weeded out...although it might not be in good taste.

Darwin awards.

-- Peg (pegmcleod@mediaone.net), December 12, 2000.

Did the croc eat white meat or dark meat?

-- dinosaur (dinosaur@williams-net.com), December 12, 2000.

I'll bet that guy doesn't take his next date to that spot

-- Bosco (denden@home.com), December 12, 2000.

1. Bloody body found in an area known to be infested with crocs and posted with signs to that effect.

2. Boyfriend SAYS they were having a romantic swim.

-- helen (b@c.k), December 12, 2000.