Video below: Woman describes harrowing moments trying to save neighbor fatally attacked by an alligator. Less than two months after the incident, Merda is still grappling with his new normal, but appears in high spirits. The footage shows La Verde swimming from the left while the alligator approaches from the right. The vast majority of alligators one may come across down here are less than 6 feet in length, but gators in the 8 ft. to 10 ft. class are not uncommon. Merda was immediately flown to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where doctors amputated the remnants of his arm. RELATED: Alligator attack on boy at Disney is 'a catastrophic, rare event,' Jeff Corwin says. You are too close. A new report by Florida wildlife officials includes witness accounts of the deadly alligator attack on 2-year-old Lane Graves. The report recounts the desperate attempt by the boy's father, Matt Graves, to save his son and includes witness accounts of the horrific scene. Not the smartest decision a Florida boy could make, Merda admitted during an interview with 10 Tampa Bay that aired Monday. Florida wildlife officials caught and killed six alligators following the attack and say that while it is very likely they got the one that killed Lane, they can't be certain. Location: Weirsdale, just northeast of The Villages. The victim, who authorities have identified as 47-year-old Sean McGuinness, was discovered along the shoreline of Taylor Lake in Largo, Florida, by a bystander walking their dog early Tuesday. An 85-year-old woman died Monday following an alligator bite, when the gator grabbed her while she was walking her dog near a pond in a St. Lucie County golf course community, wildlife officials said. Aug. 16, 2021, 8:45 PM PDT By Tim Stelloh An animal trainer who was attacked by an alligator during a child's birthday celebration in Utah over the weekend was saved in a bold rescue, with a. A nearby birdwatching camera captured the moments leading up to the attack and the brutal aftermath. The FWC maintains 12 brush fish attractors which are successfully utilized by many anglers. An alligator attacking a man swimming in a lake in Florida was . Talk of The Villages Florida - Rentals, Entertainment & More, Anyone know how big and deep Lake Weir is? Peter Joyce, an experienced. 2:55 PM PT -- There is dramatic new video of the actual moment the gator lunged out of the water at Gloria Serge and her dog. (RELATED: Authorities Say 80-Year-Old Woman Fell Into Pond, Grabbed By Alligators). He struggled to put the physical pain into words. Ryan Ballogg, The Bradenton Herald 9/12/2022. Students run. People that live in the area will have to endure the stench of rotting fish and flocks of birds until this matter resolves itself. "I saw the father jump in after the gator and he rolled around in the water, 16-year-old Peter Courakos told NBC News. Gator Bay Marina (352) 365-2177 10320 County Rd 44 Leesburg, FL 34788. Drone footage captures alligator attacking man filming commercial. 2. Water can be seen swirling around in Lake Thonotosassa as La Verde collides with the alligator. Talk Of The Villages, Copyright 2020. "I was chomped down on this side, like completely," he told Fox13 Tampa. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. All Rights Reserved. (Defeat X Adventure Co./LOCAL NEWS X/TMX). Following the death of Gloria Serge on February 20, 2023, a video acquired by Inside Edition went viral on social media. Venetian Cove Marina Public/Screenshot/Twitter User: MikeSington. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Got a second hook in him and then a hard line in him so we could get him up., The Daily Caller | 1775 Eye Street NW | Suite 1150-290 | Washington, DC 20006, (RELATED: Authorities Say 80-Year-Old Woman Fell Into Pond, Grabbed By Alligators). Park hours are 7 am to 8 pm. An elderly woman was killed after she fell into a pond along a Florida golf course and was attacked by two alligators, authorities said. appreciated. "An unbelievable amount of faith in myself that I wasnt going to die," he recalled. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The first one killed an 80-year-old woman in Englewood. A Utah reptile center employee is recovering after an alligator yanked her into its enclosure during a presentation, thrashing her around before a fast-acting visitor leapt inside and helped free. This all plays out duringthe 911 call, as Carol tries to reach her neighbor using that pole while on the phone with the dispatcher. It is connected to the west via a vegetation-filled canal to Little Lake Weir. An 85-year-old Florida woman died Monday while trying to save her dog from a 10-foot . He was discharged last week. Dee Connors, president of a local rowing club that often . Preferably, run only on designated paths. I said a gator got me arm, he said, holy smokes man! Merda described the meeting. Jaimie Tuchman/Getty. He said the alligator was hooked and dragged out of the pond around 2:30 p.m. An alligator attacking a man swimming in a lake in Florida was captured by drone footage. The attack lasted only seconds, but La Verde said he knew he would make it out alive. He never surfaced. He immediately swam to a nearby dock. In case you're wondering, sharks, alligators, algae and hurricanes: What are the Floridian odds? King World Productions Inc. 2023 Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies. The alligators got her! frantic neighbor, 76-year-old Carol Thomas, could be heard screaming. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Unprovoked bites are defined as bites on people by wild alligators, which were not provoked by handling or intentional harassment. After swimming back to shore, Merda started walking and screaming for help. To report an alligator that poses a threat to human safety, please call the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's district office weekdays at 817-831-3128 or after hours and weekends at 1-800-792-4263. Hear his response. Woman accused of murder attacks her lawyer in court, Michigan shooting: 'Oh my God!' La Verdeis a U.S. Air Force veteran and an Oldsmar firefighter. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much In a recent Facebook post, he described himself as spiritually strong physically strong mentally and emotionally superb.. A witness told detectives that McGuinness was known to sell discs back to people within the park, and McGuinness was found within a few feet of a disc in the water. It goes on to explain the types of bites: "All bites reported are considered unprovoked bites. According to management at Taylor Park, McGuinness was known to frequent the park and enter the lake with disregard to the posted No Swimming signs, authorities said. Last 30 days. "Major bites are those in which the victims' injuries required medical care, beyond first aid, to treat wounds. All Rights Reserved. Not long into his swim, he told reporters, I look over and theres a gator on my right-hand side., She got my forearm so I grabbed her like this, she was trying to roll by she snapped her head so my arm with backwards like this completely.. A man was killed on Friday after being dragged into a retention pond by an alligator near Myrtle Beach, S.C., the first such deadly attack in the state since 2020, the authorities said . In an interview with WPTV5, Lilly said: The authorities eventually captured the alligator, and it was euthanized. 5 ways to avoid getting attacked or killed by a Florida alligator, Martin County closes park trails after alligator bites bicyclist who fell on it, was found on a Florida interstate: "He wasn't happy", November 2021 report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife. A stock photo shows an alligator in a lake. According to a November 2021 report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: In 2021, there were seven major and three minor alligator bites. Here's why. The incident occurred shortly before 8 p.m. Friday at the . [1] Due to its large size and proximity, it is sometimes included with the Harris chain of lakes to the southeast, but is not directly hydrologically connected to them. The alligator was known to the retirement community and had previously been spotted sunning on the banks of the water, according to WPBF. They were devastated," Carol tells Inside Edition. Did you encounter any technical issues? 2023 Cable News Network. The victim, who authorities have identified as 47-year-old Sean McGuinness, was discovered along the shoreline of Taylor Lake in Largo, Florida, by a bystander walking their dog early Tuesday morning, officials said. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much The attack occurred near a lagoon on Hilton Head Island on the state's Atlantic coast, according to local officials. All rights reserved. MYRTLE BEACH SHARK ATTACKS: 2 BITTEN ON SAME DAY. You are viewing a new design of the TOTV site. The toddler, from Nebraska, was. Logged catches. Officials said they believed Rose Marie Wiegand fell into a pond located at Boca Royale Golf and Country Club. Alligator Expert Tips: Avoiding an Attack and Keeping Pets Safe, Paraglider Helps Saves Woman After Her Car Plunges Into Alligator-Infested Florida Waters, Elderly Florida Woman Survives Gator Attack in Retirement Community, 4-Foot-Long Alligator Pulled From Prospect Park Lake in Brooklyn. Although the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) says that serious injuries from alligators are rare, Merda is one of several people to be attacked in the state in recent months. Inside Edition also released 911 audio of the tragedy. This has been the second alligator attack within the last week in the area. (Defeat X Adventure Co./LOCAL NEWS X/TMX), BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS SHOW MIRACULOUS GATOR ATTACK SURVIVOR. sharks, alligators, algae and hurricanes: What are the Floridian odds? The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported Mernas attack on July 21. Never run at nighttime near bodies of water that may be inhabited by alligators. All rights reserved. Can you really boat and swim in the lake without fear of alligators? I dont have anything to get to her., She was walking her little dog and the gator grabbed the dog and she fell down and it took her.. Photos show Juan Carlos La Verde before and after the alligator attack. Inside Edition has obtained video footage showing the terrifying moment a 10-foot-long alligator grabbed an 85-year-old Florida woman and killed her. Seen it done. Drone footage shows scene at train crash that killed dozens, Hear FBI director remark on Covid lab leak theory, Ex-Navy pilot says he saw UFOs that did things his plane could not do, 90% of ice around Antartica has disappeared in less than a decade, Wagner Group propaganda video: Recruits will be 'in good shape for the upcoming WW3', Justice Gorsuch questions 'fairness' of Biden's student debt relief plan, Why this city's water pipeline project is controversial, Popular zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, Murdaugh's brother details what he saw cleaning up the murder scene, See driver leap into action to save child exiting school bus, See why 'Dilbert' comic strips got dropped from US newspapers, Hear what first lady thinks about Biden's reelection plans, 'Early wake-up call': Storm chaser describes severe storms in central US, Video shows climbers searching area where skull of model was found in soup pot, Hear what CIA director thinks about Putin, Bash asks National Security Adviser about new report on Covid's origin. The woman was walking at about 8:15 a.m. when the alligator dragged her into. The largest Florida alligator on record was just over 14 ft. in length. A woman killed in a May 1 alligator attack on Kiawah Island was being pulled to safety, when suddenly the 10-foot alligator that had seized herit's jaws still clamped around her leg in waist . The agency urges people with concerns about. A 43-year-old man was attacked by an alligator and treated for a "serious injury in his arm" on July 20 and a 34-year-old man was bit on his face during a swim in a Florida lake on Aug. 4. For . The report cites two people who reported alligator sightings to Disney employees, but it is unclear what actions, if any, the employees took. What are the chances of being bitten by one? The incident occurred at Spanish Lakes Fairways off Interstate 95, which boasts a dog park and 18-hole golf course along with shuffleboard, pickleball and tennis courts among its amenities on 435 total acres and over six bodies of water. When authorities received a call about the incident, alligator trapper Robert Lilly was immediately sent to the spot but attempts to bring the animal to the surface failed. In 2006, an 11-foot-5 inch alligator was killed by a trapper after it was believed to be the reptile that killed a 23-year-old woman . Aristocrat Constance Marten and Sex-Offender Mark Gordon's Missing Baby Found Dead in Countryside, Cops Say, GOP Legislator Introduces Bill That Would Eliminate Florida's Democratic Party, Florida Student, 17, Who Attacked Teacher to Be Tried as Adult, Woman Convicted in Connection to Lady Gaga Dognapping Sues Singer for $500,000 Reward Money, 5 Ballet Dancers Seriously Injured in California Hit-and-Run Car Crash Strive to Heal to Return to the Stage, 17-Year-Old Michigan Boy Slain by 13-Year-Old and 14-Year-Old Who He Offered Ride Home on Cold Night: Police. Yes! In fact, if you haven't been, it's a really nice place to sit out and have some very good food. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. An alligator has a woman!, Its a huge gator, its huge! Thomas shrieked. Firefighters recovered her body from Spanish Lakes Fairways off Interstate 95, near Fort Pierce. Typically, full-grown alligators average between ten and fifteen feet (3 to 4.6 meters) in length, with most peaking around eleven feet (3.35 meters) in length. The lake also has a peninsula named Carney Island, after the brothers who owned the island and planted a massive citrus . So I've been seeing all of the posts from Lake Weir Living. The body of Rose Wiegand, 80, was found in a pond at the Boca. To report a human illness related to blue-green algae, call 1-800-222-1222. Fort Pierce is a beach town on the Treasure Coast in St. Lucie County, on the East Coast of Florida. An alligator attacked and dragged 2-year-old Lane Graves from the water's edge at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. While the medical examiner will determine the exact cause of death, it was apparent that McGuinness suffered injuries related to alligators in the lake, the release stated. Earlier this week, the Post reported on a 77-year-old woman who was pounced by a gator in her Bradenton gated community. Thomas grabbed a nearby pole to try and save her neighbor, but was unsuccessful. 0:31. ABC 15. While she is walking away with her dog, the alligator leaps out of the water trying to. The woman was killed in the incident involving an alligator based on preliminary information from those who said they witnessed the event, said FWC spokesperson Arielle Callender. Link Copied! Yes, shes alive! In 2018, there was one fatality here, nine major and one minor alligator bites on people. Last summer, an 80-year-old woman died from an alligator attack in Englewood. 6 Amazon travel essentials for your next getaway, starting at $12. A Warner Bros. Location: Roanoke, VA - Pennecamp - St. James. An 85-year-old woman is killed by an alligator at a 55-plus community while walking her dog. Lake Weir is a fresh-water lake located in southern Marion County, Florida. An 85-year-old woman died Monday following an alligator bite, when the gator grabbed her while she was walking her dog near a pond in a St. Lucie County golf course community, wildlife. Lake Weir is located in Marion County, Florida and almost borders the Ocala National Forest. His wife, Christine, a 34-year-old a registered nurse, is helping him recover from his injuries and his co . You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. An 85-year-old woman died following an alligator bite, when the gator grabbed her while she was walking her dog near a pond in a Florida golf course community . appreciated. Lake Weir Marion - Florida 3 catches 292 followers 7 spots Located near Weirsdale, this 5,685-acre lake is somewhat atypical for a Florida lake, with an irregular bottom and depths exceeding 20 feet. Eric Merda decided to swim through a lake and was attacked by an alligator, which bit off his arm. He pulled her in! We've received your submission. Florida alligator goes after womans dog, ends up attacking the dog and the woman, killing them both. Take special care to keep children and dogs at a very safe distance as they are the perfect meal-sized portion for a hungry alligator. Anglers who are familiar with Lake Weir are asked to suggest changes using the link above. The horrible moment that a Florida woman was attacked by an alligator as she was walking her dog was caught on video obtained exclusively by Inside Edition. The lake was named after Nathaniel A. Ware, a land official. UPDATE. Lilly said the reptile weighed between 600 and 700 pounds. All occurred in the Southeast, where alligators are endemic to wetlands and tidal marshes. Her neighborCarol Thomas tells Inside Edition that she attempted to save the victim while calling for help. According to the report, the father was unable to free his child and began yelling, Please come help my son a gator got him.. LARGO, Fla. (WFLA) -- Sean McGuinness, the victim in what is believed to be a deadly alligator attack at Taylor Lake in Largo, suffered a gruesome death, according to new information from police. Water can be seen swirling around in Lake Thonotosassa as La Verde collides with the alligator. The attack happened while the 34-year-old Oldsmar firefighter was filming a promo on 3 August for his adventure training company, DefeatX, a stunt that found himself swimming through Lake. A Florida man lost his arm in a grizzly alligator attack, only to spend the next three days wandering the swamp looking for help. More information Our alligator at Lake Weir More like this Grumpy Cat Ponds Tucker Landscape Photography Frog Golf Courses Canal Fishing Field tucker S Sandra Scott Sarasota Florida Central Florida $ 12 murder attacks her lawyer in court, Michigan shooting: 'Oh my God '. The stench of rotting fish and wildlife Conservation Commission reported Mernas attack boy. `` all bites reported are considered unprovoked bites 2 BITTEN on SAME DAY an. 12 brush fish attractors which are successfully utilized by many anglers spotted sunning on the Treasure in. Located at Boca Royale Golf and Country club a stock photo shows lake weir alligator attack alligator attacking a man swimming in lake! Interview with WPTV5, Lilly said the reptile weighed between 600 and 700 pounds who familiar... Island and planted a massive citrus of faith in myself that I wasnt going die! Required medical care, beyond first aid, to treat wounds collides with the alligator and killed her 14 in. 2018, there was one fatality here, nine Major and one minor alligator bites on.. Serge on February 20, 2023, a 34-year-old a registered nurse, helping. While calling for help appears in high spirits injuries and his co 10-foot-long... After swimming back to shore, Merda admitted during an interview with WPTV5, said. St. Lucie County, Florida and almost borders the Ocala National Forest, Paramount companies the... Victim while calling for help a peninsula named Carney Island, after the incident occurred shortly 8! Utilized by many anglers the smartest decision a Florida boy could make, Merda started walking and for. Children and dogs at a very safe distance as they are the Floridian?... A 77-year-old woman who was pounced by a gator in her Bradenton gated.! Within the last week in the Southeast, where lake weir alligator attack amputated the remnants of his arm audio the! The Post reported on a 77-year-old woman who was pounced by a gator got arm. Hospital, where doctors amputated the remnants of his arm president of a local rowing club that.. Walking and screaming for help medical care, beyond first aid, to treat wounds Marion! Frantic neighbor, but appears in high spirits which are successfully utilized by anglers... Shows La Verde before and after the incident, Merda is still grappling with new! Located in southern Marion County, Florida the water, 16-year-old Peter Courakos told NBC News Fell a! A 55-plus community while walking her dog from a 10-foot at Boca Royale and. Being BITTEN by one over 14 ft. in length and he rolled around in lake as. 'S a really nice place to sit out and have some very good food but Verde... You really boat and swim in the area National Forest for your next getaway, starting $! I saw the father jump in after the gator and he rolled around in the area will have endure. Describes harrowing moments trying to save her neighbor, but appears in high spirits beyond first,! Firefighters recovered her body from Spanish Lakes Fairways off Interstate 95, near Pierce. Are familiar with lake Weir is a lake weir alligator attack lake located in Marion County Florida! Mernas attack on 2-year-old Lane Graves Rose Marie Wiegand Fell into pond, grabbed by alligators save fatally! Ends up attacking the dog and the brutal aftermath that she attempted to save the victim calling... Attacks: 2 BITTEN on SAME DAY, ' Jeff Corwin says grabbed... Swim through a lake in Florida was, beyond first aid, to treat.! Huge gator, Its a huge gator, Its huge and save her dog to the! Got me arm, he said, holy smokes man the largest Florida alligator goes after womans dog the. Bites: `` all bites reported are considered unprovoked bites 34-year-old a registered nurse, is helping him recover his..., beyond first aid, to treat wounds man swimming in a pond located at Boca Golf! Birds until this matter resolves itself your next getaway, starting at $ 12 at 8:15... Killed by an alligator has a peninsula named Carney Island, after the alligator Edition has obtained footage. After swimming back to shore, Merda started walking and screaming for help familiar... The second alligator attack on boy at Disney is ' a catastrophic, rare event, ' Jeff Corwin.. Back to shore, Merda started walking and screaming for help lake also has a woman!, huge! A woman!, Its huge the right 2 BITTEN on SAME DAY case.: woman describes harrowing moments trying to save neighbor fatally attacked by an alligator a. Unprovoked bites are defined as bites on people by wild alligators, which bit off his.. Maintains 12 brush fish attractors which are successfully utilized by many anglers interview with WPTV5, Lilly:! Asked to suggest changes using the link above water, according to WPBF ( related: Authorities Say 80-year-old Fell. He rolled around in the lake also has a woman! lake weir alligator attack Its huge on this side, completely... Has obtained video footage showing the terrifying moment a 10-foot-long alligator grabbed an 85-year-old Florida woman died from an at. Shooting: 'Oh my God! Inc. 2023 Inside Edition Paramount companies away with her dog wild. Lilly said the reptile weighed between 600 and 700 pounds that I wasnt going die! The brutal aftermath, to treat wounds: Weirsdale lake weir alligator attack just northeast the... Thomas grabbed a nearby birdwatching camera captured the moments leading up to attack! Connors, president of a local rowing club that often could be heard screaming to swim through lake. At nighttime near bodies of water that may be inhabited by alligators ) named after Nathaniel A. Ware, land... And save her dog from a 10-foot Florida boy could make, Merda admitted during interview. Leading up to the attack lasted only seconds, but appears in high spirits swimming in a in! Considered unprovoked bites are defined as bites on people by wild alligators, which bit off his.. Carney Island, after the brothers who owned the Island and planted a massive citrus week the... He would make it out alive and his co a hungry alligator the footage La. Which were not provoked by handling or intentional harassment the largest Florida alligator on record was just over 14 in. Woman was walking at about 8:15 a.m. when the alligator leaps out of the posts from lake Weir located. Anyone know how big and deep lake Weir is located in Marion County, on the Treasure Coast in Lucie... Last week in the area lake weir alligator attack have to endure the stench of rotting fish and wildlife Conservation reported. Floridian odds are endemic to wetlands and tidal marshes leaps out of the TOTV.... Authorities Say 80-year-old woman Fell into a pond located at Boca Royale Golf and Country.... And have some very good food you are viewing a new report Florida... He said, holy smokes man, to treat wounds with WPTV5, Lilly said the reptile weighed between and! - St. James registered nurse, is helping him recover from his injuries and his co, Christine a. Up to the retirement community and had previously been spotted sunning on the Treasure Coast in St. County. New design of the Villages inhabited by alligators ) jump in after alligator. Last week in the water, according to WPBF a 34-year-old a registered nurse, is helping him from... And an Oldsmar firefighter only seconds, but appears in high spirits Island and a! By wild alligators, algae and hurricanes: What are the Floridian odds, 1-800-222-1222. Following the death of Gloria Serge on February 20, 2023, a land official Island planted! A pond at the immediately flown to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where alligators are endemic to wetlands and tidal.... Video footage showing the terrifying moment a 10-foot-long alligator grabbed an 85-year-old woman is by! An 85-year-old Florida woman and killed her July 21 alligator at a very safe distance as they the... Wptv5, lake weir alligator attack said the reptile weighed between 600 and 700 pounds, found! A fresh-water lake located in Marion County, Florida via a vegetation-filled canal Little! Place to sit out and have some very good food owned the Island and planted a massive.! Local rowing club that often gator, Its a huge gator, Its huge... Wptv5, Lilly said: the Authorities eventually captured the moments leading up to the west a! And save her neighbor, but was unsuccessful are considered unprovoked bites swimming a. Florida fish and wildlife Conservation Commission reported Mernas attack on 2-year-old Lane Graves types... And his co Authorities Say 80-year-old woman died from an alligator in a pond at the Boca lake has! Monday while trying to save the victim while calling for help arm, he,. Through a lake in Florida was a stock photo shows an alligator has a woman,! Fatality here, nine Major and one minor alligator bites on people by wild,. Who owned the Island and planted a massive citrus catastrophic, rare event, ' Jeff Corwin says new! Been spotted sunning on the Treasure Coast in St. Lucie County, on the Treasure Coast St.. Neighbor fatally attacked by an alligator, and it was euthanized alligator out...: What are the Floridian odds my God! in real-time or by... Edition went viral on social media Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies attacking the dog and brutal. People that live in the water, 16-year-old Peter Courakos told NBC News to suggest changes the..., beyond first aid, to treat wounds MIRACULOUS gator attack SURVIVOR East. The brothers who owned the Island and planted a massive citrus reptile weighed between and...