Man admits he ‘shouldn’t be alive’ after brutal alligator attack caught on drone camera

Swimming in Florida is a dangerous adventure, especially when you know that at any moment something could decide to make you its prey.

We’ve all seen the news reports about Florida and alligators, but you never expect to be the person who ends up falling victim to one of these beasts.

Sadly, a man nearly died from mutilation after swimming in a local lake.

Firefighter and paramedic JC La Verde was swimming in the lake to shoot an educational video for his own company, called Defeat X.

ABC’s WFTS reported that the man was in the water when a drone flying over the lake captured the moment the 12-foot alligator headed straight toward him and locked him in its jaws.

The incident, which happened a few weeks ago at Lake Thonotosassa near Tampa, was a nightmare for the emergency responder, who ended up needing emergency intervention himself.

According to La Verde, when he realized he was inside the alligator’s jaws, he immediately tried to escape, adding that the alligator appeared to be just as shocked as he was.

He Verde told the broadcaster: “When I felt the teeth, I knew straight away.

“And then when I opened it, I knew that either I was turning it or it was turning me. But it was confused, just like I was, and then it let go of me.”

As soon as he was free, he swam to the dock and got out of the water where he was found by a good Samaritan who took him to the hospital for treatment.

La Verde admitted that he called authorities himself to inform them of what had happened and that he did not want to disturb his rescuer.

He said: “I’m not going to put extra stress on someone who is already driving a bloody man somewhere.

“As if I could take this burden off this lady’s shoulders…”

La Verde then underwent emergency surgery to repair his head, which lasted six hours.

However, this is not a one-time solution and he will have to return in the future as the right side of his head is exposed and without part of his skull.

This means he must wear a helmet to protect his head from injury.

He said of the incident: “If people want to see this as anything other than a real miracle, that’s stupid of you.

“I shouldn’t be alive.”

He said one must put one’s faith in religion to share the burden of such tragedy, saying: “Find your God. Find Him. It’s silly. I understand it’s scary, but life is a scary place, so you can carry that burden by yourself or ask someone to carry it for you.”

With so many alligator attacks reported in this area, it is essential that people are aware of the dangers of entering the waters and are aware of their surroundings at all times.