Golfer Attacked by Crocodile at Cancun Course


A tourist in Cancun got an unwanted surprise when he entered a bunker at a resort course in Cancun, Mexico. Dougie Thompson was ready to hit out of the sand trap at Iberostar Golf Course when a 12-foot-long crocodile ran from nearby underbrush and took a vise-like grip of his leg.

The 58-year-old native of Wishaw, near Glasgow, said he was lucky to be alive after the attack, which required 200 stitches and ruined his vacation.

After the crocodile clamped its powerful jaws onto his leg, Thompson's playing partners sprang into action, pounding the animal with golf clubs and even driving over it with a power golf cart. Despite their efforts, he still suffered serious damage to the muscles in his thigh and hip.

"I couldn't feel pain, I was in total shock," Thompson told The Mirror newspaper. "It was like a big toy, big black eyes looking at me. Hitting it was like hitting a brick wall.

"The crocodile tore away all the muscle in my thigh. My leg is like a butcher's shop window. Initially only two of us were going golfing. If that had happened, there is no way one friend could have helped. It would have pulled me back into the lagoon and had me for supper."

Thompson was in Cancun for a friend's wedding. But the father of two is flying home to Canada, where he now lives with his family, for further treatment.

The resort issued a statement in response to the incident. "IBEROSTAR deeply regrets this incident and wishes a speedy recovery to Mr. Thomson.

"The safety and security of our clients, guests and employees has always been, and will continue to be, of paramount importance to IBEROSTAR.

"The IBEROSTAR Cancun Golf Course is fully equipped with highly visible warning signs - in both English and Spanish - and appropriate fencing and markings.

"The club also provides information and warns about the unique characteristics of this particular course; detailing the precautions that should be taken to ensure a safe round of golf."