http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Wedding-ring-eaten-by-crocodile/2006/03/02/1141191769256.html

Wedding ring eaten by crocodile

March 2, 2006 - 11:34AM

Pieter Abrahamse has an original excuse for a lost wedding ring: a crocodile ate it, along with the arm it was attached to.

"He took my wedding ring, I suppose he ate it up," Abrahamse told Reuters by telephone from his hospital bed as he recounted his life-or-death struggle with a man-eating reptile.

The 47-year-old farm manager had the lower part of his left arm torn off in the attack on a citrus plantation in South Africa's northern Limpopo province.

But he's counting his blessings as he could easily have lost his life.

"I took my horse for an evening swim in one of the farm dams," he said.

"There are lots of crocs and hippos in the area but they move around all the time, from dam to dam and into the river and out again."

Submitted on 03/13/2006

Submitted by: Reuben
Reference: See below

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James said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
Well, I'll bite (no pun intended)! I suppose this fellow had a rather cavalier attitude towards the wildlife he KNEW frequented the area. It's almost as if he expects the crocs and hippos will just "go away" when he decides it's time to take horsie on a ride around his personal fiefdom. Well, hungry crocs just don't go away, and the ring probably gave the poor croc indigestion! Thanks, Reuben! I got a chickle out of this one! :-)

Sheryl said:
Maybe Toss: Other
I'm not sure about this one. It sounds like the sort of thing he does all the time - just that this time he was unlucky. Leaving this for other Mods.

Jorge said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention

Charles said:
Maybe Toss: Other
I have to agree with Sheryl on this one. It does sound like he does this all the time, and as if the amount of stupidity nvolved is offset by the number of times he has gotten away with it successfully.

Greg said:
Neutral: Honorable Mention
I don't know. I'm more with James, because if he's a local he should know better and be a bit more careful, no? Same story as our 83-year-old lady in Maine pouring petrol in to a wood stove. I'd file this under 'should've known better!' Thanks.

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