You’ve got to keep your head on a swivel in the state of Florida.
Danger seems to lurk around every corner in the “Sunshine State.” Every headline that you see, especially the “Florida Man” and “Florida Woman” ones, always deliver with some of the wildest things that would be unimaginable in any other state.
But with pythons slithering around and alligators always lurking, America’s version of Australia is usually home to some breathtaking (or in this case hand-taking) stories.
A fisherman casting a few lines in a golf course pond near Leesburg, Florida, ended up being the victim of a dangerous attack when a 9-foot alligator lunged out of the water. From the description of the incident, he’s lucky he just lost his hand and didn’t lose his life.
One eyewitness described the attack as a quick pounce out of the water by the gator, which stunned the man and caused him to fall on the ground. It was while he was trying to get back up that the aggressive reptile chomped down on his hand and proceeded to roll its body. The signature “death roll” is a maneuver that alligators use to tear apart their prey while simultaneously holding it underwater.
911 calls came pouring in to the local police, with homeowners that witnessed the attack, as well as golfers that were on the course, calling for authorities to send help as quickly as possible.
The gator reportedly retreated back into the water after it snapped down and removed the man’s hand. Thanks to the swift calls from eye witnesses, first responders were able to get to the scene to help the gator attack victim within minutes.
With the significance of the fisherman’s injury, he was soon after airlifted to a nearby hospital in Orlando, and his condition is currently unknown at the time. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission promptly identified the male alligator, trapped it, and removed it from the pond for safety of others in the area.
What a nightmare situation… but whether you’re golfing or fishing, or just going for a walk, make sure to stay out there when you’re near the water’s edge. You never know what could be lurking just below the surface.
