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Stunning footage shows croc containing human remains airlifted from river

A South African policeman has bravely helped winch a massive crocodile from a river, with later testing showing the croc contained human remains.

Video footage, shared on social media by South African police, showed Captain Johan Potgieter being winched on a helicopter over the "crocodile-infested" Komati River before helping attach a large crocodile to the rope.

The river is located in the east of the country, near the border with Mozambique.

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The policeman winched the massive crocodile away from the river.

The statement said the crocodile, which was already euthanised, was taken away, and a study of the crocodile's body found the remains of a missing person.

According to local media reports, the crocodile was around 4.5 metres long and weighed 500 kilograms.

The same reports said the remains are believed to be of a missing 59-year-old businessman, who went missing last week.

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Potgieter's actions and bravery were met with praise.

"Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane commends the extraordinary bravery and selflessness displayed," the statement on social media read.

"He courageously secured a crocodile using a rope under extremely dangerous conditions."

Police said they would now carry out a DNA analysis of the remains to confirm the identity of the deceased.

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