PA Boy Who Survived Crocodile Attack Going As One For Halloween

PHILADELPHIA — A 12-year-old Philadelphia boy is recovering after being attacked by a crocodile in Mexico.

Charlie Buhl was on vacation with his mother Jennifer Buhl and brother Johnny when a crocodile attacked his leg on June 18, according to Buhl, who shared the harrowing tale on her company's blog last month.

Buhl wrote the family was at Club Med in Cancun, Mexico when the attack happened.

She was eating at a restaurant in the club when someone told her Charlie had been attacked and rushed to a lagoon area of the resort.

Other resort guests the family became friendly with beat the crocodile — one even covered and poked at the animal's eyes — in an attempt to free the boy.

Action News reports a 13-foot croc attacked Charlie, which he described as "pushing on the inside of my leg" and "like someone was just digging their nails into your arm."

Buhl was told by doctors in Mexico Charlie may lose the leg.

However, the young man proved resilient and after several weeks of treatment and procedures, the family went home in mid July.

Luckily, Club Med covered all family's expenses, according to People.

Club Med in the aftermath took steps to prevent further attacks in the lagoon area.

Charlie's tenacity is proving strong, even nearly five months later. Action News reports he and friends are planning to dress up as a 16-foot crocodile for Halloween, taking a page out of Batman's book in harnessing a traumatic incident to become stronger.

Charlie is also working on getting back to the soccer field.

"Though it is not guaranteed, running, jumping and playing soccer is expected to return, though it will take several months and he will miss this year’s soccer," Buhl wrote on the blog. "Charlie believes he will make full recovery, and I am not going to argue that."

Buhl thanked the people who stepped in to free Charlie, his medical team, and God for all saving his life.

"To all of you who played a part, to those who directly saved Charlie’s life acting in wisdom and courage — Cyrus, Candice, Connor, Andre, Ismael, Ragab, Juanito, Mary, Adrian, Dr. Solis and Dr. Ortiz — and to all of you around the world who prayed from your spirit on Charlie’s behalf, including my brother Jeff who kicked it off, thank you," she wrote. "And thank you God for sparing my son."

Read Buhl's first-hand account of the incident here.