A crocodile handler died after a routine feeding turned into a horrifying fight for survival when the massive reptile clamped onto his legs and dragged him into the water.

The shocking attack happened Saturday afternoon at Adventure Park in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea.

The worker had reportedly brought a chicken to the crocodile’s enclosure when the animal suddenly lunged at him.

“He brought the chicken to the fence and the crocodile attacked the person and tried to bring him into the pool,” eyewitness Gibson John said.

Terrifying video from the scene showed the handler desperately clinging to the side of the pool while the crocodile appeared to have his legs trapped in its powerful jaws.

Bystanders rushed to help, offering the injured man a pole to grab onto as he struggled to keep himself from being pulled farther into the water.

At another point, a man could be seen gripping the worker’s arms from the edge of the pool as the victim groaned in agony.

John said the handler appeared to be in unbearable pain.

“He was in severe pain but he couldn’t scream,” John said. “He couldn’t speak properly at that time. It was the pain I could see from his eyes.”

According to the witness, the only words he could clearly hear the injured worker say were, “I haven’t done anything wrong.”

A large crowd gathered around the enclosure as the desperate rescue effort unfolded.

The handler reportedly remained trapped in the crocodile’s jaws for more than an hour before authorities were finally able to free him.

Police reportedly shot the crocodile during the rescue while visitors were ordered out of the park.

John said he was later told the worker had lost one of his legs.

The critically injured man was rushed by St John Ambulance to 3 Mile General Hospital, but he died from his injuries Sunday morning.

The victim was reportedly from the Western Islands in northern Papua New Guinea and had worked at Adventure Park for about two years.

Following the deadly attack, the park announced it would remain closed until further notice.

Staff members gathered at a funeral home Sunday as they mourned their colleague.

Adventure Park is known for crocodile feeding demonstrations in which employees interact closely with the powerful reptiles.

Papua New Guinea’s official tourism website promotes the park as a major family attraction featuring wildlife, gardens, rides and outdoor activities.

The deadly incident is another chilling reminder of the danger posed by crocodiles, which can strike with extraordinary speed and force even when handled by experienced workers.