Video: Seven-year-old boy recovering at home after crocodile attack
In a remarkable display of courage and resilience, seven-year-old Johandré Blom is recovering at home after surviving a horrific crocodile attack that claimed his arm.
Little Johandré fought for his life in the ICU after a crocodile attacked him near Brits earlier this month, ripping off his arm while he was playing in shallow water.
His family urgently sought support as he faced a long and difficult road to recovery.
Johandré and a friend had been playing in shallow water during a family fishing trip at the Emanzini Fishing Resort at Roodekopjes Dam.
The boys were only a few metres away from where their fathers were fishing when a massive crocodile lunged and grabbed Johandré.
His friend Dylan screamed and tried to pull him back, while Johandré's father, Corné, immediately leapt into the water to save him. After being spun around by the crocodile, Corné managed to pull Johandré free, but his left arm had been torn off.
Also read: Seven-year-old boy still fighting for his life after crocodile attack
Click here to help the family.
The family rushed him to Brits, where he was stabilized before being airlifted to a hospital in Alberton.
He was placed in an induced coma and remained stable, although doctors closely monitored his condition.
According to family friend Juan van der Merwe, who started the Back a Buddy fund, Johandré still faced a long journey of care and rehabilitation, with overwhelming medical expenses.
'All funds raised will be used to pay the hospital fees and future medical bills,' he said.
Thanks to an outpouring of support, the family has already managed to raise almost half a million rand towards Johandré's recovery.
In a video, Johandré shared the good news of his recovery at home and thanked everyone for their support.
Watch the video here:
Also read: Man arrested for brutal assault on local singer's father-in-law
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- The Citizen
Central police host GBV awareness campaign
The Pretoria Central SAPS and the Department of Labour held an awareness event on May 29 aimed at discussing gender-based violence (GBV) after the release of the fourth quarter crime statistics. Crime statistics for the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year have indicated decreases in contact crimes for Pretoria Central, though the area remains a crime hotspot due to elevated incidents of serious crimes. In Pretoria Central, GBV-related crimes such as rape decreased by two counts (21 cases reported last year down to 19), and sexual offences decreased by four counts (6 to 2). One contact sexual offence was reported compared to none in the previous two quarters. The Central SAPS Social Crime Prevention Unit visited department employees at their offices on Francis Baard Street to talk about GBV and issues of femicide. The station's spokesperson, Constable Thabang Nkhumise, accompanied by social crime prevention officer Warrant Officer Queen Mahlangu, provided the statistics and the implementation of strategies by the SAPS to assist victims when reporting such crimes. Other speakers took to the podium to educate the employees on different kinds of abuse and other related crimes. Attendees could raise their views and also engage in a debate. Pamphlets with information and contact details were handed out to the attendees. Station commander Brigadier Gibin Mashaba expressed his gratefulness to the department for engaging with employees, saying continued dialogues such as these are needed to break the social stigmas against GBV. 'We want to urge more departments within the inner city to partake in addressing social ills and a continuous effort to reach out to their employees. The only way to illuminate GBV is to instil a culture of whistleblowing by the community to protect victims and provide them with shelter and any psychological assistance,' Mashaba said. Essential contact information: Women Abuse helpline: 0800 150 150 Childline: 0800 055 555 SAPS Crime Stop: 08600 10111 Complaints: nodalpoint@ Crime line: 32211 National human trafficking helpline: 0800 222 777 Suicide helpline: 0800 567 567 National Aids helpline: 0800 012 322. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
BackaBuddy campaign launched to repatriate body of Cape Town woman murdered in US
A BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign has been launched to assist the family of Kim White Towne, a 32-year-old Capetonian who was murdered by her American husband in Chantilly in the state of Virginia. The campaign aims to raise funds for the repatriation of her remains to South Africa so that she can be laid to rest among her loved ones. Towne's tragic death, reportedly at the hands of her husband during a domestic dispute, has left her family devastated and facing a financially overwhelming situation. The campaign, organised by Lauren Delcarme, is titled 'Bring Kim Home' and, at the time of publishing, has already raised R88 404 of its R108 000 target. 'Kim was a vibrant and cherished member of our family whose warmth, kindness and gentle spirit touched everyone she met,' said Delcarme on the campaign page. 'Her sudden and untimely death has left us in profound grief, and we are faced with the heartbreaking task of bringing her home to South Africa.' Delcarme noted that the costs of repatriation are substantial and include cremation, legal documentation, and international transport, among other formalities. The family is appealing to the public for any contributions to help reunite Kim with her family in Cape Town. Kim White Towne, originally from the Blouberg area, had moved to the US to build a life with her husband, with whom she shared a young son. The BackaBuddy page has been flooded with messages of support and heartfelt condolences from friends, family, and even strangers moved by the family's plight. Those wishing to contribute can visit the official BackaBuddy campaign via and search for 'Bring Kim Home' or donate directly to the listed banking details on the campaign page. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Huggers target students in Hatfield
A TikTok video released by the Hatfield Community Intervention Desk (CID) has sparked concern among students after it warned of a new trend where criminals are stealing phones by hugging unsuspecting victims. This comes after another video circulated on social media, showing a man embracing a young woman at a fast food outlet in Hatfield, only to slip her phone out of her possession during the hug. INCIDENT CAUGHT ON CCTV IN HATFIELD PRETORIA Please assist us in identifying the suspect seen on the video stealing a cellphone. — CrimeInSA (@sa_crime) May 14, 2025 CID Hatfield head of security, Deon van Rensburg, confirmed a spike in incidents involving students, particularly around clubs, restaurants, and other night-time hotspots. 'Criminals are now using hugs as a distraction technique,' he said. 'When you're hugged by a stranger, make sure to keep your valuables safe – especially your phone, watch and wallet.' Van Rensburg added that offenders often linger outside fast food joints and nightlife venues, waiting for the right moment to strike. He urged students and young adults to avoid physical contact with strangers and report any suspicious behaviour immediately. Hatfield, known for its dense student population due to its proximity to the University of Pretoria, falls under the jurisdiction of the Brooklyn police precinct. The station is currently grappling with high crime rates. According to the latest crime statistics for the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year, released by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on May 23, Brooklyn remains one of the country's worst-hit areas for several categories of crime. The precinct, which covers 28 suburbs including Hatfield, Brooklyn, Lynnwood North, Hazelwood, Menlo Park, and Waterkloof, was ranked: – 5th nationally for property-related crimes – 6th for commercial crimes – 8th for common robbery – 9th for serious crime overall – 10th for 'theft not otherwise specified' – 20th for non-residential burglaries – 23rd for the overall category of community-reported crimes. While the national report noted a slight dip in motor vehicle and motorcycle thefts during the last quarter, Brooklyn continues to lead the country in these categories. The area's crime complexity is amplified by its mix of high-density student residences, shopping centres, sporting venues, bars, and academic institutions, all creating opportunities for opportunistic criminals. Residents and students are advised to remain alert, especially when moving through busy areas or socialising in public spaces. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
