British journalist dies in crocodile attack

A British man working as a journalist in Sri Lanka has been killed after a crocodile dragged him into a river.

The victim has been named as 24-year-old Paul McClean, a Oxford University graduate.

Reports say the victim had gone to wash his hands in a lagoon, known both as Crocodile Rock and as Elephant Rock.

At the time of his death he had been working for the Financial Times newspaper in London but was on holiday in the Indian Ocean nation.

He joined the FT as a graduate trainee two years ago and was most recently working for the fastFT news service.

The cause of death has yet to be officially confirmed.

James Lamont, the FT’s managing editor, described McClean as “a talented, energetic and dedicated young journalist”.

“We are liaising closely with his family and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and offering the FT's assistance.”