Kayaker presumed dead after Congo crocodile attack

Associated Press ^ | 12-9-10 | Jenny Gross

[Newtoidaho]

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — An acclaimed outdoorsman who wrote movingly about testing himself against nature is presumed dead after a crocodile snatched him from his kayak while he led an American expedition from the source of the White Nile into the heart of Congo.

Two Americans being guided by 35-year-old South African Hendrik Coetzee on the grueling trip could only watch in horror. They paddled unharmed to safety after the Tuesday morning attack on the Lukuga River in Congo.

The International Rescue Committee, which runs development projects in the Central African nation, helped evacuate the Americans to a nearby town, Ciaran Donnelly, the organization's regional director in Congo, said Thursday.

[SgtHooper]

I agree with you wholeheartedly! imho, it’s the risk that adds spice to life, but the risk should be reasonable, not extremely high over time, as in this case. This was a business, so statistically, the victim (or a client) would’ve been croc food eventually (as with the grizzlies).

[Gil4]

If you love doing stupid stuff, it makes sense to find something else to love (or just do something you like instead.)

Risk just for the sake of risk is foolish.

[trisham]

LOL!

[PLMerite]

Someone (Zappa, Nugent, Dylan?) said, “you should not be where you don’t belong.” I’ve always tried to honor the wisdom in that statement.

[ansel12]

That only makes sense to the people that don’t love to take risks, the world is full of those.

Also, never ignore that the love of risk is necessary for quality soldiers, adventurers, explorers, and pioneering.

America used to be full of those people, when you read the actual accounts of what happened to many of the people that were pushing the country west, horrors that sound like SAWIX, the horror flick, you realize that they were not simply chosen randomly from the human pool, they were self selecting themselves because they had the wild man gene.

[Gil4]

RE: “...the love of risk is necessary for quality soldiers, adventurers, explorers, and pioneering.”

I understand the need for soldiers, explorers, and pioneers and can see where the rewards could outweigh even extreme risks. I’m not sure the use of “adventurers,” and the level of risk that seems reasonable for that category seems a whole lot lower.

Back to the story, I understand it’s his life and he’s free to risk it as he sees fit, but I’m not going to applaud him because he died “doing something he loved.” He was doing something where the risk was extreme and the reward was bragging rights.

[ansel12]

I don’t know that you can rightfully know what all that a man is getting from his risky outdoor activities and his adventurous life.

I think that your attempt to peg it insultingly, (and defensively) as “bragging rights” is merely a reflection of why it bothers you and an insight into your life, not an accurate description of his reasons or rewards.