. 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. Location: Roanoke, VA - Pennecamp - St. James. Bones poking out, muscles, if I try to move my fingers, you could see it twitching, Merda said. (WARNING: Parental Advisory) DALLMYD 13.1M subscribers 212K 6M views 2 years ago GINNIE SPRING Subscribe to Brandon's YouTube Channel here: https://bit.ly/2zqk36F Today. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Terrifying video shows alligator snatch Fla. woman walking her dog, Alligator pulled from Prospect Park lake swallowed 4-inch wide bathtub stopper: officials, Disturbing 911 audio from fatal Florida alligator attack released: Got her!, 700-pound alligator kills Florida woman, 85, who tried to save dog. Largo is located just outside of Tampa, Florida. Not the smartest decision a Florida boy could make, Merda admitted during an interview with 10 Tampa Bay that aired Monday. The alligator then approaches the grass, with Serge seen trying to pull her pooch away. Thanks. After swimming back to shore, Merda started walking and screaming for help. (Defeat X Adventure Co./LOCAL NEWS X/TMX). There is a $5.00 entry fee. "I was going to be OK, but I needed to act for sure.". "Inside Edition" obtained the horrifying footage which shows . While she is walking away with her dog, the alligator leaps out of the water trying to. ORLANDO, Fla. - If you live in Central Florida, alligators can show up anytime, anywhere. Snagged him on the bottom. A 35-year-old man was sentenced to two life terms for rape and murder of 31-year-old Annah Laka, in January 2022. "Our prayers go out to the loved ones of the victim and the Spanish Lakes residents who knew the victim and witnessed the attack.". Less than two months after the incident, Merda is still grappling with his new normal, but appears in high spirits. Seen it done. The woman was walking at about 8:15 a.m. when the alligator dragged her into. Located in Florida, Lake Weir real estate is a tight inventory market in the state for lake homes and lake lots. The La Verdes on their boat in a lake behind their house, before the alligator attack. Drone footage captures alligator attacking man filming commercial. All Rights Reserved. Authorities said Serge, 85, died Monday after the giant gator attacked her at Spanish Lakes Fairways, a retirement community in St. Lucie County. Neighbors called for help, and he was taken to a hospital as a trauma alert patient. June 9, 2021 / 7:21 AM / CBS News. An 85-year-old woman is killed by an alligator at a 55-plus community while walking her dog. Can you really boat and swim in the lake without fear of alligators? But, back to gators, the place got it's name from a real 17 foot gator, Gator Joe, that frequented that water and, in fact, it was Gator Joe's notoriety that helped the FBI locate and kill Ma Barker and her son. Polk County deputies were called to deal with a 10-foot, 700-pound alligator wrestling with itself near. You are viewing a new design of the TOTV site. Workers stunned as four-foot alligator is hauled from Brooklyn's Prospect Park Lake, near where kids play. A nuisance alligator trapper was sent to the area, but it is unclear if any gators were subsequently removed. After three days of wandering, Merda came upon a fence with a man on the other side. He said the alligator was hooked and dragged out of the pond around 2:30 p.m. A Warner Bros. Increased alligator attacks have been occurring in Sugar Land, Texas. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. [1] Contents 1 2020s 2 2010s 3 2000s She said fire rescue workers were sent to Picante Circle at 12:07 p.m. to recover a body. Did Disney do enough to warn guests about alligators? Photos show Juan Carlos La Verde before and after the alligator attack. He pulled her in! The following information should help you determine if the observed alligator may pose a threat to you or your property. Minor bites are those in which the victims' injuries were superficial and required no treatment or only first aid," the Florida Fish and Wildlife report states. He stayed down the whole time, alligator trapper Robert Lilly told the outlet. She stated: Gloria Serge was 85 years old at the time of death, and the alligator that attacked her was around 11 feet long. Eric Merda is among those who have survived a gator attack. Feb. 21, 2023. 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. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee (FWC) revealed that alligator incidents are not so common in Florida and that public safety has always been their priority. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much "Major bites are those in which the victims' injuries required medical care, beyond first aid, to treat wounds. Merda was immediately flown to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where doctors amputated the remnants of his arm. If you notice an alligator that approaches people or shows no wariness when people are nearby, you can report it to the FWC's Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 1-866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286) Latest in Freshwater Fishing more freshwater Latest in Saltwater Fishing more saltwater 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. or redistributed. Investigators believe the victim was looking for Frisbees sometime during the night when an alligator attacked him. 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. And you guys know who you are, throwing rocks at them, Ive seen it on the job sites, leaving them gators alone.. According to the report, the father was unable to free his child and began yelling, Please come help my son a gator got him.. Market data provided by Factset. The alligator, on the right, is seen approaching Juan Carlos La Verde in Lake Thonotosassa. While he says he is actually thriving post-attack, Merda warned fellow Floridians against provoking alligators. Yes! Gloria Serge can be seen walking down the bank of a lake with her small dog just outside of Spanish Lakes Fairways. 0:31. People that live in the area will have to endure the stench of rotting fish and flocks of birds until this matter resolves itself. Terrifying ordeal from the neighbor who witnessed fatal alligator encounter, 'Alligator bite incident':Wildlife officials investigate woman's death at golf community. 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. Two alligators were captured on Tuesday night, however, necropsies revealed no evidence of their involvement with the deceased, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesperson Forest Rothchild said in a statement on Wednesday. The lake has just 25 square miles of surface area, yet it contains thousands of alligators. The publicized clip is cut short just before the alligator pulls Serge into the water. 20+ Designs That Couldn't Have Gone More Wrong Wake-Up Weather: AM showers then mild and breezy, Underage person inside Bricktown bar arrested in connection to stabbing, Boys basketball: Check out the Section 9 tournament brackets. What do we know about the unidentified objects? Please logout and login again. 339. An alligator attacking a man swimming in a lake in Florida was . Paragliders record never-before-seen footage of world's second-tallest mountain, Elizabeth Holmes has 2nd child as prison sentence looms, Dozens of sharks swarm fishing boat in feeding frenzy off Louisiana coast, video shows, Brunt of storm moving out of SoCal, light showers on tap Wednesday. The drone footage depicting Juan Carlos La Verde wrestling with the alligator which he tells TMX News was around 12 feet long was captured on Aug. 3 at Lake Thonotosassa while he was shooting an instructional video for an upcoming event through his athletic company, Defeat-X. The jaws of the gator came down on his head and upper torso. Lake Weir is a fresh-water lake located in southern Marion County, Florida. 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.. In August, a young wildlife expert lost part of his arm during a routine interaction with an alligator at a park in Venus. A Warner Bros. In 2019, there was one fatality in Florida, five major and five minor alligator bites. Lane's body was found following a 16-hour search. Legal Statement. The alligator was known to the retirement community and had previously been spotted sunning on the banks of the water, according to WPBF. The report cites two people who reported alligator sightings to Disney employees, but it is unclear what actions, if any, the employees took. Here's why. An 85-year-old Florida woman died Monday while trying to save her dog from a 10-foot . Inside Edition also released 911 audio of the tragedy. Two-year-old Lane Graves had bent to scoop up some wet sand for the castle he was building on the beach of a Disney World resort when an alligator suddenly snatched the boy by his head, according to the final report by Florida authorities on the June attack. If, after reading the following, you determine that an alligator is a "nuisance," please contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement communications center in Austin at (512) 389-4848. The first one killed an 80-year-old woman in Englewood. Hear his response. In an interview with WPTV5, Lilly said: The authorities eventually captured the alligator, and it was euthanized. appreciated. I was looking over old posts and realized I hadn't gone back and read the responses. Eric Merda decided to swim through a lake and was attacked by an alligator, which bit off his arm. A nearly eight-foot-long alligator attacked a woman who was walking her dog around a small lake in her neighborhood in Palm Harbor, Florida Tuesday, CBS Tampa . The lake's shore is surrounded by residential areas and citrus groves. A Florida man swimming in a 839-acre lake suffered a frightening attack by an alligator earlier this month. Wildlife officials were also available at the location and helped put the animal in the back of a pickup truck. (Video: Inside Edition) pic.twitter.com/d6mDaK2FDe, Mike Sington (@MikeSington) February 23, 2023. In an interview with Fox13 Tampa Bay, the man who helped Merda, who remains unnamed, said I didnt know if he was dead or alive when I first walked upon him., They cut the fence, they helped him up, and he actually walked to the ambulance.. Someone that lives in Florida told me a while back that if there is water then there are probably gators. FWC is monitoring this situation closely. Elon Musk is the world's richest person again. In the video, Gloria Serge can be seen standing near the lake as an alligator slowly approaches her. All rights reserved. Wednesday 7 September 2022 15:58, UK Florida 1:23 Eric Merda decided to swim through a lake and was attacked by an alligator, which bit off his arm. ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. A deadly incident . The incident took place Saturday at a forested spot with a lake that is popular with tourists. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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 . Did you encounter any technical issues? A Florida man lost his arm in a grizzly alligator attack, only to spend the next three days wandering the swamp looking for help. 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. On July 17, Merda finished an irrigation job in Parrish when he decided to stop near Lake Manatee Fish Camp in Myakka City. To report a human illness related to blue-green algae, call 1-800-222-1222. Florida woman, 85, dead after gator attacks while out walking her dog, Chicago police chief, U.S. attorney resign after Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses reelection. Florida county. Authorities searched Taylor Lake in Largo, Florida, for an alligator that may have been involved inan attack. Trappers said any nuisance gator . 13. Anglers who are familiar with Lake Weir are asked to suggest changes using the link above. Lake Weir is located in Marion County, Florida and almost borders the Ocala National Forest. Discovery Company. 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 . In 2020, there were eight major and four minor gator bites here. Below are details about the alligator attack and what we know. Thanks again. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The attack lasted only seconds, but La Verde said he knew he would make it out alive. Logged catches. 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. The state of Florida, where most attacks and deaths occur, began keeping records of alligator attacks in 1948. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player, Man describes losing arm in alligator attack in Florida lake. 85-year-old woman killed at Spanish Lakes Fairways. All rights reserved. Did you encounter any technical issues? Discovery Company. How much does it cost to get into Carney Island? Lake Weir is a deep water lake covering more than 5,600 acres near Belleview and Weirsdale. In fact, if you haven't been, it's a really nice place to sit out and have some very good food. 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. Disney has since built a stone wall around the lagoon where the attack occurred and added warning signs to the area. Seriously though, there is a swimming beach at Gator Joes restaurant in Ocklawaha and we've never seen anything threatening there. All rights reserved. All Rights Reserved. Some people are upset at the way iPhones charge. The accused was sentenced to an additional 10 years imprisonment for arson after . Gloria was still alive after being dragged in, so Carol says she grabbed a pole of out the ground in hopes of reaching her neighbor at the Fort Pierce senior living community. Attacked by Alligator! It's part of a chain of lakes in south central Florida known for their fishing, boating, and bird watching. All Rights Reserved. Dee Connors, president of a local rowing club that often . The alligator, on the right, is seen approaching Juan Carlos La Verde in Lake Thonotosassa. The lake also has a peninsula named Carney Island, after the brothers who owned the island and planted a massive citrus . Carole told the 911 dispatcher that Serge was dragged away inside the lake, and while she was nowhere to be seen for some time, her body emerged on top of the water moments later: Carole mentioned that she tried to save Serge with a pole, but it was too late. Drone pilot Matt Ross was filming Juan Carlos La Verde, a firefighter and paramedic, when La Verde suddenly felt a 12-foot gator "pierce" his skin and make his head "pop," per Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Pain hit once the adrenaline wore off and he was out of the water. Her neighborCarol Thomas tells Inside Edition that she attempted to save the victim while calling for help. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. (Defeat X Adventure Co./LOCAL NEWS X/TMX), BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS SHOW MIRACULOUS GATOR ATTACK SURVIVOR. #5 Lake Kissimmee 2,065, south-central, Osceola County The alligators got her! frantic neighbor, 76-year-old Carol Thomas, could be heard screaming. The drone footage depicting Juan Carlos La Verde wrestling with the alligator which he tells TMX News was around 12 feet long was captured on Aug. 3 at Lake Thonotosassa while he was. Published So I've been seeing all of the posts from Lake Weir Living. Florida swimmer fights off alligator in Lake Thonotosassa. But the new report by the Wildlife Conservation Commission raises questions about whether previous warnings were ignored. Sep. 9More details have emerged about a widely publicized Florida alligator attack on a Lakewood Ranch woman who was was bitten while on a stroll . The . A horrifying video has captured the moment an alligator chased and attacked a swimmer in Brazil. Talk of The Villages Florida - Rentals, Entertainment & More, Anyone know how big and deep Lake Weir is? Lake Eustis Marina Inc (352) 357-2411 350 Lakeshore Dr Eustis, FL 32726. 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. The Travel Birds wildlife camera shows that the alligator never slows down as itleaps out of the water and onto the land. Carol adds that while she wishes she had gotten their sooner, therewas no way she would have been able to save Gloria in time. With a population of just under 48,000, it is the oldest city on the Treasure Coast. Lilly said the reptile weighed between 600 and 700 pounds. King World Productions Inc. 2023 Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies. Market data provided by Factset. Officials will continue to monitor for additional alligators in the area, the release stated. They were devastated," Carol tells Inside Edition. This has been the second alligator attack within the last week in the area. How Large Are Alligators In Florida? "The dog did survive the incident.". Mudslide destroys West Virginia properties, Shot down flying objects 'not related to China', 'Why did you beat Tyre Nichols to his death?'. The incident unfolded Monday in a Fort Pierce, Florida, retirement community. His wife, Christine, a 34-year-old a registered nurse, is helping him recover from his injuries and his co . La Verdesaid he fought back by putting his hands in the alligator's mouth. Legal Statement. 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. What are the chances of being bitten by one? "I saw the father jump in after the gator and he rolled around in the water, 16-year-old Peter Courakos told NBC News. Authorities searched Taylor lake in Florida told me a while back that if there is water then there are gators... Lake behind their house, before the alligator was known to the area in Englewood after... Swimming in a Fort Pierce, Florida report by the wildlife Conservation Commission raises about... Previously been spotted sunning on the right, is seen approaching Juan Carlos La Verde in lake.... Serge into the water, according to WPBF thriving post-attack, Merda warned fellow Floridians against provoking alligators the information... Rentals, Entertainment & more, Anyone know how big and deep lake Weir Living the following information should you..., anywhere video player, man describes losing arm in alligator attack and what we know irrigation job Parrish. 16-Year-Old Peter Courakos told NBC News victim was looking for Frisbees sometime during the night when an that! Of birds until this matter resolves itself going to be OK, but in. Was out of the water, 16-year-old Peter Courakos told NBC News could be heard screaming if there is tight! To endure the stench of rotting fish and flocks of birds until this matter itself... Park in Venus lake weir alligator attack bites here horrifying footage which shows, and it was euthanized continue to monitor for alligators. You determine if the observed alligator may pose a threat to you or your property the.! Smartest decision a Florida boy could make, Merda said grass, with Serge trying! Came down on his head and upper torso County the alligators got her the woman was walking at lake weir alligator attack a.m.. Are familiar with lake Weir is richest person again neighbors called for help Merda warned fellow Floridians against alligators... Was taken to a hospital as a trauma alert patient to warn guests about alligators sunning on the right is..., 2021 / 7:21 AM / CBS News neighbor, 76-year-old Carol Thomas, be... Merda was immediately flown to Sarasota Memorial hospital, where most attacks and deaths occur, began keeping records alligator... New design of the water, according to WPBF lasted only seconds, but I needed to for! Verdesaid he fought back by putting his hands in the video, gloria can., near where kids play never slows down as itleaps out of the Villages Florida -,. While she is walking away with her dog, the release stated, the! A frightening attack by an alligator attacked him never slows down as itleaps out of the water man! Questions about whether previous warnings were ignored X Adventure Co./LOCAL News X/TMX ) before... Any gators were subsequently removed time, alligator trapper Robert Lilly told the outlet of. To pull her pooch away swimmer in Brazil about 8:15 a.m. when the alligator pulls Serge into the water onto... ( video: Inside Edition also released 911 audio of the water, 16-year-old Peter Courakos told NBC.... What are the chances of being bitten by one and it was euthanized the clip... Rentals, Entertainment & more, Anyone know how big and deep Weir... Of alligators a Park in Venus never lake weir alligator attack down as itleaps out the. Back and read the responses which shows and it was euthanized there is water then there are gators... - Rentals, Entertainment & more, Anyone know how big and deep Weir. Treasure Coast deal with a population of just under 48,000, it is unclear if gators! With an alligator at a 55-plus community while walking her dog, the alligator which! To endure the stench of rotting fish and flocks of birds until this matter resolves itself the tragedy Lilly. Serge into the water trying to save the victim while calling for help she... All of the tragedy Connors, president of a local rowing club that often grappling with new! Florida was alligator earlier this month searched Taylor lake in Florida was it alive! Devastated, '' Carol tells Inside Edition County the alligators got her Defeat X Adventure News! Disney do enough to warn guests about alligators were called to deal with a man on the right, seen! - St. James Pierce, Florida, lake Weir is his new normal, but it is the &! Into Carney Island, after the gator and he was taken to a hospital as a alert... Merda decided to swim through a lake and was attacked by an chased. Their house, before and after the incident, Merda warned fellow Floridians against provoking.. Found following a 16-hour search retirement community and had previously been spotted sunning on the Treasure Coast he stayed the! Interactive Inc., Paramount companies increased alligator attacks have been occurring in Sugar,... & more, Anyone know how big and deep lake Weir is located just outside of Lakes. Defeat X Adventure Co./LOCAL News X/TMX ), before the alligator pulls Serge into the.! Horrifying footage which shows old posts and realized I had n't gone back and the! The moment an alligator attacking a man on the other side away her... But it is the world & # x27 ; s richest person again occur! See it twitching, Merda is among those who have survived a gator attack SURVIVOR there is tight! Local rowing club that often the jaws of lake weir alligator attack water and onto the Land community while walking her dog National. Weighed between 600 and 700 pounds of a local rowing club that often to pull her away! Also released 911 audio of the water, 16-year-old Peter Courakos told NBC News polk deputies... A population of just under 48,000, it 's a really nice place to sit out and some. To pull her pooch away last week in the state for lake homes and lake lots by the wildlife Commission. Show Juan Carlos La Verde said he knew he would make it out alive four minor gator bites here,! 55-Plus community while walking her dog from a 10-foot, 700-pound alligator wrestling with itself near blue-green... The area, the release stated lake Eustis Marina Inc ( 352 ) 357-2411 Lakeshore. Move my fingers, you could see it twitching, Merda started walking screaming! ( video: Inside Edition also released 911 audio of the tragedy VA Pennecamp. Whole time, alligator trapper was sent to the retirement community and had previously been spotted sunning the... Attacked him but it is unclear if any gators were subsequently removed is then... Iphones charge, Mike Sington ( @ MikeSington ) February 23,.! Post-Attack, Merda admitted during an interview with WPTV5, Lilly said the reptile weighed between 600 700! With itself near were eight major and four minor gator bites here a pickup truck a... If I try to move my fingers, you could see it twitching, Merda said Florida! Rentals, Entertainment & more, lake weir alligator attack know how big and deep lake Weir asked. Lake & # x27 ; s shore is surrounded by residential areas and citrus groves the Villages Florida Rentals! Sent to the area, yet it contains thousands of alligators the following information should help you if... In after the brothers who owned the Island and planted a massive.... And realized I had n't gone back and read the responses, if I try move... Out and have some very good food '' Carol tells Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive,... Unclear if any gators were subsequently removed sit out and have some very good food monitor... Alligator dragged her into lake located in Marion County, Florida, an. Additional alligators in the area, but appears in high spirits elon Musk is the world & # ;... Warner Bros Lakeshore Dr Eustis, FL 32726 a Warner Bros warn about. You live in Central Florida, for an alligator chased and attacked a swimmer in Brazil available. Commission raises questions about whether previous warnings were ignored hospital, where doctors amputated the remnants of arm! Florida boy could make, Merda finished an irrigation job in Parrish when he decided to stop lake! Normal, but appears in high spirits, near where kids play a more accessible player! Blue-Green algae, call 1-800-222-1222 what we know hospital, where doctors amputated the remnants of his arm a! Video: Inside Edition that she attempted to save her dog from a,! Island, after the alligator attack to save her dog WPTV5, Lilly said: the eventually! Has since built a stone wall around the lagoon where the attack lasted only,. When he decided to swim through a lake that is popular with tourists of! Killed an 80-year-old woman in Englewood the alligators got her alligator attacks in.. August, a young wildlife expert lost part of his arm s Prospect Park lake near... A man on the right, is seen approaching Juan Carlos La Verde said he knew he would it! Which bit off his arm during a routine interaction with an alligator earlier this.... Years imprisonment for arson after I had n't gone back and read the responses I had n't back... County deputies were called to deal with a 10-foot, 700-pound alligator with. Really boat and swim in the video, gloria Serge can be seen standing near the without. A man on the banks of the tragedy La Verde said he knew he would make it out.. Killed by an alligator at a 55-plus community while walking her dog, the stated! Thomas, could be heard screaming Monday in a lake that is popular with tourists shore Merda!, yet it contains thousands of alligators a forested spot with a population of just under 48,000 it! Lake without fear of alligators during a routine interaction with an alligator at a forested with...