A man who survived a horrifying hyena attack while camping at a bachelor party has revealed the quick actions that ultimately saved his life. Nicolas Hols, 27, was sleeping in his tent at Cape Vidal Nature Reserve in St. Lucia, South Africa, when the unthinkable happened.
Nicolas and his group of friends were celebrating a bachelor party, enjoying food and drinks after a long day of fishing. Around 1 a.m., they headed to bed, unaware of the deadly danger lurking nearby.
The Attack: A Night of Horror
Nicolas, who has been visiting the Reserve since he was six, was deep asleep when two hyenas, attracted by the food and noise from the campsite, found their way into his tent. One hyena grabbed his cheek while the other clamped onto his ankle, waking Nicolas in an instant.
“I had no time to think. It was pure instinct,” Nicolas shared in an interview with PEOPLE. “One went for my leg, and the other for my face and head. I fought them off by ripping my face and ankle free, then attacking the eyes of one and forcing my hand down the throat of the other.”
The terrifying struggle lasted around 60 seconds as the hyenas, surprised by his fierce resistance, ultimately fled. Nicolas’s father, Colin, heard his son’s screams and rushed to help, pulling him out of the tent and driving him to the hospital.
Survivor Nicolas Holhs & stock image of hyena (Shutterstock)
Quick Thinking and Survival Instincts
The two actions that saved Nicolas’s life were his instinctual fight to free himself and his focused attacks on the hyenas’ weak points. Nicolas’s quick thinking, fueled by adrenaline, led him to target the hyenas’ eyes and throat, which caused them to retreat.
“I knew I had to fight to survive,” he explained. His actions, especially sticking his hand into the hyena’s mouth and using his thumb to attack the other’s eye, stunned the animals enough for them to back off. According to Colin, the hyenas were likely surprised by the resistance they encountered, and when they heard him approaching with a torch, they quickly disappeared.
Emergency Response and Recovery
Once out of the tent, Nicolas was immediately rushed to Ballito Hospital, where doctors treated his injuries. He received 30 stitches in his head, hand, and cheek, and suffered deep lacerations to his ankle and thigh. Despite the severe injuries, Nicolas is recovering well, and doctors are pleased with his progress. “For now, it’s about rest and allowing my body to heal properly,” he said.
Nicolas’s father, Colin, praised his son’s bravery, emphasizing how his quick actions played a crucial role in his survival. “When I saw Nicolas, he was covered in blood, and I could hardly recognize him,” he recalled. “But he fought back with everything he had, and that made all the difference.”
A Close Call: Lessons Learned
This terrifying incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable dangers that come with camping and outdoor adventures. While Nicolas was fortunate to survive, the experience highlights the importance of remaining vigilant, even in seemingly safe environments.
The attack also underscores the significance of preparation and knowledge of wildlife when spending time in nature reserves. Though a small gap was left in Nicolas’s tent for ventilation, the hyenas found their way in anyway. “If the hyenas wanted to get in, they would have found a way regardless, and that’s exactly what happened,” Nicolas reflected.
For now, Nicolas is focusing on his recovery, but the experience will likely stay with him forever. The courage and survival instinct that helped him fight off the hyenas saved his life—and it’s a story that will be remembered for years to come.
Conclusion
Nicolas Hols’s story is one of sheer survival against the odds. His quick thinking, combined with his fight-or-flight instincts, enabled him to escape a life-threatening situation. As he continues his recovery, he serves as a reminder that in moments of danger, human resilience and instinct can make all the difference.
