Orange County couple tried to rescue man killed in crocodile attack on Mexican beach

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico (KABC) -- An Orange County couple says they tried to save a tourist from a deadly crocodile attack in Puerto Vallarta on Friday.

A local newspaper obtained images of the crocodile believed to be responsible for the attack.

Chris Bury and his partner Jamie Yetter, who are both from San Clemente, said they had just finished a beach walk and were heading for the swimming pool when they heard screams coming from the beach.

The couple said they rushed to the beach and saw the man -- identified only as a 28-year-old named Irving from Mexico City -- being attacked in the water by the crocodile and dragged out to sea.

Bury said he tried to throw a life preserver to the victim, but he was in shock and wouldn't respond to commands to take it.

When someone brought a kayak down to the beach, Bury said he tried to paddle out, but by then, it was too late.

"He went down, and then, at that point, he stayed down," Bury recalled. "So I was over top of him, but the water was so murky, and you couldn't even see a foot down. So by the time I got to him, it was unfortunately too late."

"The crocodile had him by the thigh, and he would turn, and the size of this crocodile, I mean, his head was as long as my torso, his tail thicker than my legs. He was just turning him, taking him under," Yetter said.

The body of the 28-year-old victim was recovered on Saturday morning.

Authorities say the crocodile suspected of being behind the attack was also captured during the operation. They say Irving was among a group of friends in Puerto Vallarta for vacation.

Jalisco state authorities are reminding the public to obey warning signs and avoid the water where wildlife is known to be present.