A kayaking expedition through the heart of Africa turned into a nightmare when a massive crocodile burst from the water, dragged one of the explorers from his boat and disappeared beneath the surface as his horrified friends watched.

Hendri Coetzee was traveling down the Lukuga River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with fellow kayakers Chris Korbulic and Ben Stookesberry in December 2010.

The experienced adventurers were attempting to become the first team to complete the dangerous whitewater route.

They already knew the river was home to crocodiles and hippos, so the three men tried to stay close together as they paddled.

But during one narrow stretch of river, the group became separated by only a few feet.

Stookesberry was in front, Coetzee was in the middle and Korbulic was behind when the crocodile suddenly struck.

Korbulic later said he caught sight of the reptile exploding from the water and grabbing Coetzee near his left shoulder.

Within seconds, Coetzee was pulled beneath the surface.

His kayak flipped over as Korbulic and Stookesberry watched in shock, unable to reach their friend.

“The crocodile just pulled him right underwater,” Korbulic told the Associated Press.

He said the pair were left in “complete shock and disbelief” after witnessing the attack.

Fearing the crocodile could strike again, the two surviving kayakers paddled toward the nearest village to get help.

Local residents reportedly estimated the crocodile was about 15 feet long.

After reaching safety, Stookesberry made a desperate call for assistance.

“We’ve had a terrible accident here,” he said. “Hendri just got taken by a crocodile.”

Coetzee’s kayak was later recovered from the river and reportedly showed no obvious damage.

His body was never recovered.

The tragedy devastated Coetzee’s family, friends and the tight-knit adventure community.

The following year, more than 200 people gathered to remember him during an emotional memorial.

At sunset, mourners placed flowers, photographs, poems, hearts and prayer flags on a wooden raft before setting it on fire and sending it down the rapids.

Close friend Pete Meredith said Coetzee had once described the area as “the center of the universe.”

“It was close to the heart of Africa,” Meredith said. “The people were so friendly, and the water was amazing.”

Korbulic remembered Coetzee as a man who lived for exploration.

“Hendri was a student, and a teacher, and a devotee to his church of exploration,” he said.

What began as an ambitious journey into one of Africa’s wildest rivers ended with two men paddling away in shock — and their friend disappearing forever beneath the water.