India, June 24 -- A partially blind elderly man from Odisha's Kendrapara district grabbed headlines today after he fought off a saltwater crocodile with his presence of mind and lived to tell the tale.

Prasant Mandal, a resident of Arunnagar village under Baulakani panchayat of Mahakalapada block, was performing his morning ablutions in Ramchandi river ghat when a 10 ft-long saltwater crocodile attacked him. He survived the near fatal encounter after valiantly fighting back for about 15 minutes.

As per reports, Mandal was bathing in the creek when the reptile suddenly appeared and tried to drag him into the water. He, however, managed to escape after jabbing the crocodile's eyes with his hand.

Recounting the traumatic experience, Ma...