Briton feared dead after India crocodile attack

One British man is dead and another missing after reportedly being attacked by crocodiles on a river trip in India.

The men, reported to be Ian Turton, from York, and Michael Easton, from Holland Park, west London, went missing during an excursion on the Cauvery River near Bangalore, India.

One of the men is dead, thought to be Mr Turton, while the other, believed to be Mr Easton, is still missing.

The UK Foreign Office said local authorities are continuing to search the area.

A spokeswoman said: “We can confirm the death of a British national while on an excursion on the Cauvery River near Bangalore, India. Another British national is still missing.

“The local authorities continue their search of the area. We are providing consular assistance to the families.”

No further details were provided.

It is thought the men may have been eaten by crocodiles. Rescuers are reported to have found the pair’s inflatable dinghy, which bore puncture marks believed to have been caused by the creatures.

The 497-mile long (800km) Cauvery River runs across three of the southern Indian states, including Tamil Nadu, where Mr Turton is reported to have been working for US company Tenneco Automotive.

The river is said to be infested with crocodiles, leading to speculation the men could have been attacked as they travelled down it.