A SEVEN-year-old boy has been left fighting for his life after his arm was ripped off in a horrific crocodile attack.

Johandre Blom was attacked while playing in the water just a few feet away from his parents, at the Roodekoppies Dam, located on Crocodile River in Brits, South Africa.

His parents were fishing in the river just moments before their son was attacked by the large reptile on March 21.

His nine-year-old friend, Dylan, reportedly screamed and tried to help the younger boy.

The victim’s father, named as Corne, was sitting with the older boy’s father, Jannie Bekker.

Bekker told local media: “The next moment my little boy screamed.

“I saw him grab Johandre by the arm, but there was a big jerk and then Johandre was away from Dylan.

“Dylan shouted, ‘there’s a crocodile here’, and Corne and I immediately ran to the water.”

Johandre was thrown around by the crocodile in its powerful jaws before his father and Bekker got to the water.

Corne managed to pull the boy free while the brutal predator was still circling them in the water.

Unfortunately, Johandre was missing his left arm after the bloody attack.

The two dads applied pressure to Johandre’s wound before he was rushed to hospital.

Medics stabilised the boy and he was them flown by helicopter to a different hospital in Alberton.

Johandre has reportedly been placed in an induced coma and is currently in stable condition.

The boy’s father’s described the brutal crocodile as a “monster”.

His family have started a fundraiser on BackaBuddy Fund to raise money for Johandre’s rehabilitation and medical bills, which are apparently costly.

Bekker said that a boat was deployed after the attack to see if Johandre’s arm was in the water, but they could not find it.

The responsible crocodile was also spotted after the attack in the grass near the bank.

It pestered the search boat and people at a resort during the evening.

It is currently unclear if the animal has been neutralised.

South African media said that people online were left mortified by the tragic incident.

Numerous people criticised the family for not being careful enough in the habitat of such a dangerous reptile.

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