Posted on 07/18/2024 1:07:16 PM PDT by Red Badger
TEMPLE TERRACE, Fla. (WSVN) — A Central Florida woman is on the road to recovery after surviving an alligator attack on the Fourth of July.
Rachél Thompson said she went for a morning run and decided to take a dip in the river when danger struck.
“I’m basically standing in shallow water and I look from the dark water, out of nowhere appear the ripples of a giant alligator head,” Thompson recounted.
The gator lunged and bit down on Thompson’s leg. She started fighting for her life, punching the animal in the snout and trying to free herself.
“The thought came to my mind ‘This is your last move and the next, his next is to roll you,’ and I just screamed and I pried as hard as I could.”
Her efforts worked as she freed herself and pulled herself up back onto her dock.
Thompson was rushed to the hospital where she needed emergency surgery. Luckily, her injuries weren’t as bad as they could have been.
“None of the major nerves were severed. One clean fracture to the fibula the small bone,” she said.
Even though Thompson came away with cuts and a fractured fibula, she knows others have suffered worse fates.
“I’ve heard a lot of these stories and I’ve heard a lot of tragic stories, lost lives or lost limbs,” she said.
While wildlife officials say attacks by alligators are rare in Florida, they remind people to always be aware of their surroundings and not go into bodies of water where alligators are known to lurk.
After everything Thompson has been through, she’s just happy to walk away with only scars.
“I have a lot of scars and it’s amazing the more that you get in life, the more you realize people don’t pick up on them, they don’t notice them. I think this one might be different. I think this one might be a bit more noticeable,” she said.
A licensed trapper subsequently put the alligator down following the incident and was euthanized.
It weighed more than 400 pounds and measured over 10 feet.
Thompson is expected to make a full recovery but must stay off her feet for six to eight weeks.
“How can you tell ahead of swimming that there are alligators lurking? Is there a method?”
https://youtu.be/JL8xTW0bowk?feature=shared
The go to method is sending in the child you like the least.
Doesn't sound like a native or long-term resident...
Yep. Down Tampa way (from me...). Inland, though.
If if is fresh water and you are in Florida there probably is a gator in the water.
In the old days gators were afraid of people. Then people from up North starting feeding them to get a great tourist picture and gators lost their fear. That said, if you're swimming in a lake stay away from tall grasses - and watch out if you're near a lake during mating season 'cause gators will get out of the water a walk around looking for a mate.
Thanks for the giggle!
Idiots like this are why they government thinks we buy the lone gunman story.
“How can you tell ahead of swimming that there are alligators lurking?”
Just swim in Florida. And to add to it, if you swim in salt water or fresh water attached to salt water in Florida you are probably being watched by a shark. (Normally a bull)
wy69
“How can you tell ahead of swimming that there are alligators lurking?”
Just swim in Florida. And to add to it, if you swim in salt water or fresh water attached to salt water in Florida you are probably being watched by a shark. (Normally a bull)
wy69
While I pray for a speedy recovery, I also pray that this woman use some common sense in the future.
While I pray for a speedy recovery, I also pray that this woman use some common sense in the future.
Was just about to post the same question. Then, contrary to Freeper tradition, I read the responses here. Good point!
“pulled herself up back onto her dock.”
She lives there, and has a dock, and swims there?
This is one dumb broad.
I have to shoo the gators off my dock, just to get into my skiff. I’m not going to wade or swim there.
These are Ass H@le New Yorker invaders
are clueless .
All Fl rivers lakes and streams have gators .
Even The springs have small ones .
Too bad the gator didnt win .
Swimming in a gator invested location .
Moron .
Go Gators!
Yes, north part of Tampa.
If you put your hand in it and it comes out wet, there’s a gator in it....................<<<
Wouldn’t be too that
If you put your hand in it and it doesn’t come out, there’s a gator in it?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.