Crocodile kills 28-year-old at popular tourist spot in Mexico in front of couple attempting rescue

The fatal attack happened in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on Friday evening. Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA /AFP via Getty Images

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A 28-year-old man was killed in a crocodile attack in front of a California couple at a resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on Friday.

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Los Angeles-based TV station NBCLA reported that the incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. local time at Marina Vallarta Beach, according to Jalisco state police, with the victim identified as a man from Mexico who had been in the town for work. No further details about his identity have been released at this time.

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His body was recovered early on Saturday morning, police confirmed to NBCLA.

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Video published by local news service NoticiasPV captured the huge reptile with its jaws open and its teeth visible, shortly after the fatal attack.

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Engaged couple Jamie Yetter and Chris Bury, along with Yetter’s teenage daughter, were staying at Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa when the attack happened.

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Speaking to NBCLA, they described how they heard screams coming from the beach and rushed to help.

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“We thought we saw a guy stuck in a rip current, so Chris took off down to the water, and I ran right after him,” Yetter said.

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In a separate interview with ABC News, Bury recalled how he tried to throw the man a life preserver, but the victim was in shock and wouldn’t respond to commands to take it. He then got in a kayak and tried to paddle to the man, but it was too late.

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“He went down, and then, at that point, he stayed down,” Bury said. “So I was over top of him, but the water was so murky, and you couldn’t even see a foot down. So by the time I got to him, it was unfortunately too late.”

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Yetter added: “The size of this crocodile, I mean, his head was as long as my torso, his tail thicker than my legs. He was just turning him, taking him under.”

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The couple, who are from Orange County, California, were shocked to discover that the beach was open the next morning.

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“They didn’t tell anyone it was dangerous,” Yetter told CBS. “They didn’t tell us we shouldn’t go swimming. Even the next morning, I went down to the ocean. I assumed the beach would be closed. The beach wasn’t closed. There wasn’t no swimming signs.”

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Meanwhile, in a statement to ABC News, the resort said: “The safety and security of our guests and associates are our top priority. At the Marriott Puerto Vallarta we have appropriate signage, as well as night patrolling and red flags to indicate caution in the area and all were and are properly in place.”

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It added that it reviews its “plans and procedures often” and works “closely with the appropriate authorities on an ongoing basis and our staff is trained in how to respond to safety matters appropriately.”

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“We extend our thoughts to the individual and their loved ones during this difficult time and are providing appropriate support in line with our policies,” the resort said.

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