Puerto Vallarta, Mexico — A 28-year-old Mexican man was killed by a crocodile in a tragic attack Friday evening at Marina Vallarta Beach near the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa, as a vacationing family from San Clemente, California, desperately tried to intervene.

The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. when the victim, who was in Puerto Vallarta for work, was attacked in the water. Witnesses reported hearing screams from the beach, prompting immediate action from nearby hotel guests.

Jamie Yetter, her fiancé Chris Bury, and her teenage daughter were relaxing by the hotel pool when they heard the commotion and rushed down to the beach to help. “There was really nothing at the beach at all to help. We were just scrambling, trying to do what we could,” the family recounted in interviews.

Despite their efforts, the man succumbed to the attack by the American crocodile. Authorities later recovered the victim’s body, and the crocodile was subsequently captured. Video footage showing the large reptile has since circulated online.

Jalisco state police identified the victim only as a 28-year-old local man visiting the popular resort town for work. The beach is located near a marina and nature preserve, areas known to be habitats for crocodiles.

The San Clemente family has raised questions about safety procedures at the resort, noting the lack of immediate resources or warnings for beachgoers. Crocodile attacks are relatively rare in the area but highlight the risks of swimming in waters adjacent to natural habitats, especially at dusk or night.

No further details about the victim’s identity have been released. Local authorities are investigating the circumstances of the attack.

This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder for tourists visiting coastal regions in Mexico to heed local wildlife warnings and avoid swimming in unmarked or unmonitored areas after dark.