A surfer in Costa Rica has survived a crocodile attack after his friend fought off the reptile with his bare hands. 

The two men were crossing a river by a popular tourist beach in Tamarindo when the crocodile struck. 

Pat McNulty, a lifeguard in the area, said the victim — a US citizen named locally as 59-year-old John Becker — remained conscious after the attack and was taken to the provincial capital for emergency medical attention.

“He was bitten several times in the leg as well as the head,” Mr. McNulty told the Associated Press. “They were able to get him free, swim him to safety and then trained lifeguards responded… and we administered first aid and called an ambulance.”

The victim was said to be in a serious but stable condition following the attack.

“His friend saved his life... and then we the lifeguards helped keep him alive,” said Mr. McNulty. 

Costa Rican news site The Tico Times reported that the victim has had his right leg amputated and remains in a critical condition. He is also said to have lost large quantities of blood and suffered minor injuries to his face.

(Source: Independent)