Chris Bury thought the struggling man was caught in a rip current off the picturesque beach in Puerto Vallarta.
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A seasoned surfer from San Clemente, Bury said he rushed over to help pull the man out of the ocean. But as Bury was in waist-deep waters trying to reach the man, others watching in horror from the sand screamed out that it was a crocodile attacking the swimmer.
The 28-year-old man was killed in the attack near the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa on Friday, June 26, where Bury and his partner, Jaime Yetter, were joined on vacation by Cyndal Yetter, Jaime’s daughter, for her high school graduation trip.
The property is built on a crocodile estuary, which hadn’t been mentioned when the trio checked in, Bury said. They noticed at one point a sign at the beach warning about stingrays, jellyfish, and crocodiles — an image Cyndal mistook for an iguana, he said.
When he heard the screams from the sea, Bury instantly thought he was racing toward a rip current rescue, never imagining a crocodile would have taken the man from shallow water, he said.
The water was murky and he was unable to see anything, he said. He tried to throw the man a life preserver, but Bury said the man appeared to be too much in shock to grab hold.
Bury jumped in a kayak someone had pulled over. There were no oars, so he paddled with his hands, like he would a surfboard.
“Right before I got to him, a crocodile pulled him under,” Bury said. “I was on top of where he was and couldn’t find him. I got to him too late.”
There are news reports of another crocodile attack near the same hotel five years ago in 2021 — a Bay Area teenager who survived after being rescued.
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According to ABC 7, the victim was identified only as a 28-year-old from Mexico City. Authorities say the crocodile suspected of being behind the attack was captured.
Jalisco state authorities are reminding the public to obey warning signs and avoid the water where wildlife is known to be present, the news channel reported.
Diego Thomas, senior manager of communications for Marriott Caribbean and Latin America, said the safety and security of the resort’s guests and associates are top priorities.
“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,” Thomas said in an email.
The hotel reviews plans and procedures and works closely with appropriate authorities on an ongoing basis. Staff is trained on how to respond to safety matters appropriately, he said.
“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,” Thomas said.
Bury said there were two women with the man who had to watch as he was taken by the crocodile. He suggested larger, more apparent signage, or lookouts or lifeguards in the area.
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“I wish I could have done more,” he said.