Reptile rage

A father, who narrowly escaped with his life after crocodiles set upon him in Kampong Chhnang province 11 days ago, requires medical attention in Phnom Penh due to a resulting inflammation of an existing liver condition.

Sem Bunna, a doctor at Kampong Chhnang provincial referral hospital, said yesterday that Mao Aun’s skin and eyes had begun turning yellow because his liver had become inflamed due to cirrhosis.

Sem Bunna said if his patient didn’t receive treatment for his liver disease, which his employer appeared reluctant to pay for, then his recovery from injuries inflicted during the attack would be significantly delayed.

Rolea Ba’ier district police chief, Soeun Viseth, said yesterday that the employer, who agreed to foot the bill for injuries sustained directly from the attack, was within his rights to refuse paying for the additional treatment.

The 58-year-old was viciously attacked at a crocodile farm in Rolea Ba’ier district’s Sre Thmey commune by a pack of the animals on May 21, after one them pounced on him while he was picking mangoes, and then dragged him into a nearby pool.