Alligator Attacks, Severely Injures Florida Biker After He Falls Into Creek

A man in Florida has sustained severe injuries from an alligator attack after falling off his bike into a creek.

Martin County Sheriff’s office said the man fell off his bike Monday at Halpatiokee Regional Park in Stuart. The victim landed very close to a large female alligator who was near her nest and was attacked by the animal, reported WPVI-TV. The man was able to break free and crawl away from the gator. He was later flown to a hospital for treatment.

The spot where the biker fell is said to be one of the skinniest parts of the trail and has a 6-foot drop from the bike path to the creek below.

The biker was spotted in distress by a person named Charlie Shannon, who was walking his dog. "He had a lot of marks all over his leg, but mainly in the upper thigh," he said, reported WPTV. Shannon said the biker was hanging on roots five feet below. He used his dog leash as a makeshift tourniquet and lifted the man out of the creek.

"It was hard to get him out," Shannon told the publication. "I hope he's all right, and just to be able to get him out of the water and tie it off, I think that helped."

Scott Lorraine with the Airborne Mountain Bike Club, who came upon the scene, told WPTV that the victim is an accomplished rider. He said the biker lost a tire while going around a curve.

"He went right into the water, and just as bad luck would be, the gator was right there," Lorraine told the outlet.

First responders at the scene drove the man more than a mile to meet a helicopter that took him to a hospital, reported Associated Press.

John Davidson, a professional trapper who was called to capture the gator, said the reptile was a female and between 8-10 feet long, adding it will be relocated.

"She was sitting 10 feet off the bank when I showed up," Davidson told WPTV. "That leads me to believe that she was a female and sitting on a nest somewhere close. So we'll attempt to rescue the babies if we can."