Lee de Paauw, an 18-year-old Australian, jumped into a river Sunday morning that is known to be a home for crocodiles to impress British tourist, Sophie Paterson.
De Paauw had consumed about 10 cups of boxed wine before coming to the decision to jump into the water at around 2:30a.m. However, the second he landed into Queensland’s Johnstone River, a crocodile moved in on him and attacked.
Lee de Paauw’s instincts immediately set in and he punched the crocodile in the face but the dangerous reptile still dragged him 20 feet under the water. Luckily, de Paauw was able to gouge out one of the crocodile’s eyes and was able to escape.
A Nine News Australia reporter asked de Paauw, “Do you understand that most of the country thinks you’re one of the stupidest people around right now?”
Yet Lee de Paauw’s confidence has not wavered after the incident. “Haters gonna hate,” he said.
A Queensland paramedic said that there is high hope that surgeons can help Lee regain the use of his arm.
De Paauw’s effort at bravery must have worked because Sophie Paterson has also agreed to see a movie with him.
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