An 85-year-old woman is killed by an alligator at a 55-plus community while walking her dog. Eric Merda decided to swim through a lake and was attacked by an alligator, which bit off his arm. 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. (Video: Inside Edition) pic.twitter.com/d6mDaK2FDe, Mike Sington (@MikeSington) February 23, 2023. The state of Florida, where most attacks and deaths occur, began keeping records of alligator attacks in 1948. The body of Rose Wiegand, 80, was found in a pond at the Boca. Below are details about the alligator attack and what we know. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Photos show Juan Carlos La Verde before and after the alligator attack. Elon Musk is the world's richest person again. She stated: Gloria Serge was 85 years old at the time of death, and the alligator that attacked her was around 11 feet long. A horrifying video has captured the moment an alligator chased and attacked a swimmer in Brazil. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much 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. There are about 1.3 million alligators in Florida, but alligator attacks resulting in serious injuries are rare, according to the commission. 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.. 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. At another survey, 2,016 were . It took two hours for alligator trappers in Parrish, Fla., to wrangle a massive 12-foot, 500-pound gator that was lurking in a . CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Male alligators tend to grow larger than females. 13. Preferably, run only on designated paths. This is a list of fatal alligator attacks in the United States in reverse chronological order by decade. All rights reserved. Drone Footage Shows Moment Alligator Attacks Swimmer in Florida Lake 1 August 19, 2022, 1:31 PM A Florida firefighter and adventurer lived to tell the tale after he was attacked head-on by. 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. In 2018, there was one fatality here, nine major and one minor alligator bites on people. 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 . Content, Design and Layout may not be reproduced, The Villages, Florida, Non Villages Discussion, http://findlakes.com/lake_weir_florida_vacation.htm, http://www.wateratlas.usf.edu/AtlasObodyid=1002600, http://sjr.state.fl.us/watershedfactPages/CLW.html. Inside Edition also released 911 audio of the tragedy. Yes, shes alive! The agency urges people with concerns about. 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. For this reason, they have also launched a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) to respond to complaints related to alligator attacks. Stay safe:5 ways to avoid getting attacked or killed by a Florida alligator. Gloria Serge can be seen walking down the bank of a lake with her small dog just outside of Spanish Lakes Fairways. (Defeat X Adventure Co./LOCAL NEWS X/TMX). Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. In an interview with WPTV5, Lilly said: The authorities eventually captured the alligator, and it was euthanized. A nuisance alligator trapper was sent to the area, but it is unclear if any gators were subsequently removed. Anyone interested in fishing Lake Weir or waters within the wider area around Lady Lake should consult with local resources before heading out to fish. Thanks. People that live in the area will have to endure the stench of rotting fish and flocks of birds until this matter resolves itself. Ryan Ballogg, The Bradenton Herald 9/12/2022. Largo is located just outside of Tampa, Florida. The . Bones poking out, muscles, if I try to move my fingers, you could see it twitching, Merda said. On July 17, Merda finished an irrigation job in Parrish when he decided to stop near Lake Manatee Fish Camp in Myakka City. Less than two months after the incident, Merda is still grappling with his new normal, but appears in high spirits. TAVARES, Fla. -- An alligator attacked and killed a 12-year-old boy in Lake County Wednesday. There is a $5.00 entry fee. They have been known to attack turtles, humans, and family pets like cats and dogs. "I was chomped down on this side, like completely," he told Fox13 Tampa. Link Copied! After swimming back to shore, Merda started walking and screaming for help. Public/Screenshot/Twitter User: MikeSington. It's horrible. The lake was named after Nathaniel A. Ware, a land official. Lake Weir is a fresh-water lake located in southern Marion County, Florida. 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 . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Seriously though, there is a swimming beach at Gator Joes restaurant in Ocklawaha and we've never seen anything threatening there. appreciated. Drone footage captures alligator attacking man filming commercial. "The dog did survive the incident.". I was trying to stick a pole out to her and I was calling you at the same time and I- shes gone, shes gone. Thomas said. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. Yes! Its too late, its too late! "Our prayers go out to the loved ones of the victim and the Spanish Lakes residents who knew the victim and witnessed the attack.". Then, in an instant, the alligator grabs a hold of the 85-year-old woman and drags her into the water. ORLANDO, Fla. - If you live in Central Florida, alligators can show up anytime, anywhere. (Credit: Defeat X Adventure Co./LOCAL NEWS X/TMX). 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. Discovery Company. CNN affiliate WFTS reports. Park hours are 7 am to 8 pm. Trappers said any nuisance gator . . 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. 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. Legal Statement. Firefighters recovered her body from Spanish Lakes Fairways off Interstate 95, near Fort Pierce. 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 . Wildlife officials were also available at the location and helped put the animal in the back of a pickup truck. Oh my god! 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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. Located in Florida, Lake Weir real estate is a tight inventory market in the state for lake homes and lake lots. Horrifying. The incident happened in front of Gloria Serge's neighbor, Carole Thomas, who immediately called the authorities for help. The La Verdes on their boat in a lake behind their house, before the alligator attack. In case you're wondering, sharks, alligators, algae and hurricanes: What are the Floridian odds? I talked to a couple of her friends yesterday. Officials said they believed Rose Marie Wiegand fell into a pond located at Boca Royale Golf and Country Club. 5:28 PM EDT, Wed June 1, 2022. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Please logout and login again. Logged catches. With a population of just under 48,000, it is the oldest city on the Treasure Coast. Lake Eustis Marina Inc (352) 357-2411 350 Lakeshore Dr Eustis, FL 32726. While he says he is actually thriving post-attack, Merda warned fellow Floridians against provoking alligators. Published He struggled to put the physical pain into words. King World Productions Inc. 2023 Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies. It is connected to the west via a vegetation-filled canal to Little Lake Weir. American Alligator in Everglades National Park, Florida. And you guys know who you are, throwing rocks at them, Ive seen it on the job sites, leaving them gators alone.. All Rights Reserved. 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. How to survive an alligator attack -- or better yet, avoid one entirely. Authorities searched Taylor Lake in Largo, Florida, for an alligator that may have been involved inan attack. 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. Merda said the gator dragged him underwater three times before doing the death roll and taking off with his right arm. 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. 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. Last summer, an 80-year-old woman died from an alligator attack in Englewood. Residents can reach out to thetoll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286. Lane Graves would have celebrated his third birthday on September 3. "She let go, and she didnt have to let go," La Verde said. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved. Your complete guide to The Villages Florida including real estate, relocation guides, golf courses, town squares and everything about life in The Villages Florida. A Florida man lost his arm in a grizzly alligator attack, only to spend the next three days wandering the swamp looking for help. Her neighborCarol Thomas tells Inside Edition that she attempted to save the victim while calling for help. The attack lasted only seconds, but La Verde said he knew he would make it out alive. Alligator attack at Disney World: Chilling new details emerge. Eric Merda, 43, of Sarasota, was visiting the Lake Manatee. Never run at nighttime near bodies of water that may be inhabited by alligators. Legal Statement. 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. In fact, if you haven't been, it's a really nice place to sit out and have some very good food. Lilly said the reptile weighed between 600 and 700 pounds. 2. Alligators can be found in every Florida county. The same report, which includes alligator bite stats on people in Florida from 1948 to 2021, show 26 fatalities, 303 major attacks and 139 minor attacks. The lake that had the most gators overall was Lake George, located on the St. Johns River. He never surfaced. The publicized clip is cut short just before the alligator pulls Serge into the water. Merda was immediately flown to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where doctors amputated the remnants of his arm. The first one killed an 80-year-old woman in Englewood. TCPalm covers news in St. Lucie County, Martin County and Indian River County. But the new report by the Wildlife Conservation Commission raises questions about whether previous warnings were ignored. 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. Once the two meet, a struggle ensues before La Verde switches direction and starts heading toward the shore. Carol adds that while she wishes she had gotten their sooner, therewas no way she would have been able to save Gloria in time. The alligator, on the right, is seen approaching Juan Carlos La Verde in Lake Thonotosassa. You are too close. Terrifying ordeal from the neighbor who witnessed fatal alligator encounter, 'Alligator bite incident':Wildlife officials investigate woman's death at golf community. The attack occurred near a lagoon on Hilton Head Island on the state's Atlantic coast, according to local officials. The toddler, from Nebraska, was. Mudslide destroys West Virginia properties, Shot down flying objects 'not related to China', 'Why did you beat Tyre Nichols to his death?'. Authorities removed the alligator from the lake and euthanized it following the deadly attack. Be the first one to comment on this story. Thomas grabbed a nearby pole to try and save her neighbor, but was unsuccessful. 6 Amazon travel essentials for your next getaway, starting at $12. Market data provided by Factset. Dee Connors, president of a local rowing club that often . You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! 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. He said he threw away trash and got lost while walking in the woods. I was looking over old posts and realized I hadn't gone back and read the responses. sharks, alligators, algae and hurricanes: What are the Floridian odds? An 85-year-old Florida woman died Monday while trying to save her dog from a 10-foot . You don't have to be able to outswim the gator, just be able to outswim your buddy! Lake Weir is a deep water lake covering more than 5,600 acres near Belleview and Weirsdale. 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.. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers and St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office deputies were sent to the 6700 block of Picante Circle for what they called an "alligator bite incident" following 911 calls. When he arrived back at the lake, he opted to swim across it as opposed to walking around. An alligator has a woman!, Its a huge gator, its huge! Thomas shrieked. The alligator was known to the retirement community and had previously been spotted sunning on the banks of the water, according to WPBF. Oh my God!, Did he pull her under? the dispatcher asked. I said a gator got me arm, he said, holy smokes man! Merda described the meeting. Seen it done. While Serge managed to save her dog, she fell victim to the alligator attack. 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. This all plays out duringthe 911 call, as Carol tries to reach her neighbor using that pole while on the phone with the dispatcher. 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. Part of their selling points is swimming and boating in the lake. Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. After three days of wandering, Merda came upon a fence with a man on the other side. The alligator then approaches the grass, with Serge seen trying to pull her pooch away. Snagged him on the bottom. The alligator was known to the retirement community and had previously been spotted sunning on the banks of the water, according to WPBF. 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. 0:31. Anglers who are familiar with Lake Weir are asked to suggest changes using the link above. He pulled her in! Pain hit once the adrenaline wore off and he was out of the water. 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. The incident happened in the Spanish Lakes Fairways in St. Lucie County, Florida when Gloria took her dog for a walk. Investigators believe the victim was looking for Frisbees sometime during the night when an alligator attacked him. #5 Lake Kissimmee 2,065, south-central, Osceola County Did you encounter any technical issues? The largest Florida alligator on record was just over 14 ft. in length. or redistributed. Authorities said Serge, 85, died Monday after the giant gator attacked her at Spanish Lakes Fairways, a retirement community in St. Lucie County. He said the alligator was hooked and dragged out of the pond around 2:30 p.m. 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. An alligator attacking a man swimming in a lake in Florida was captured by drone footage. 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. 'Girthy' 500-pound alligator in Florida captured by trappers. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player, Man describes losing arm in alligator attack in Florida lake. The lake has just 25 square miles of surface area, yet it contains thousands of alligators. La Verde was also reportedly losing a lot of blood. Workers stunned as four-foot alligator is hauled from Brooklyn's Prospect Park Lake, near where kids play. Location: Weirsdale, just northeast of The Villages. The 11-foot alligator is spotted just before the attack as it glides across the water towards Gloria Serge as the unsuspecting grandmother walks her dog by the water's edge. In the video, Gloria Serge can be seen standing near the lake as an alligator slowly approaches her. How much does it cost to get into Carney Island? A new report by Florida wildlife officials includes witness accounts of the deadly alligator attack on 2-year-old Lane Graves. An alligator attacking a man swimming in a lake in Florida was . Your login session has expired. If you have a boat the lake has a really great ramp off of Hwy 25 and 115 Ave just west of Ocklawaha. He pulled her in the lake, Thomas said. 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. How Large Are Alligators In Florida? They were devastated," Carol tells Inside Edition. Disney makes 'long overdue' changes after alligator attack. To report a fish kill call 1-800-636-0511. (RELATED: Authorities Say 80-Year-Old Woman Fell Into Pond, Grabbed By Alligators). "There was a incident with someone walking their dog," Stokes said. The Travel Birds wildlife camera shows that the alligator never slows down as itleaps out of the water and onto the land. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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. His wife, Christine, a 34-year-old a registered nurse, is helping him recover from his injuries and his co . He was discharged last week. Drone footage captures alligator attacking man filming commercial. 339. Hear his response. IE 11 is not supported. The Florida Wildlife Commission says serious injuries fromalligators are rare, but they do happen. A man searching a Florida lake for Frisbees may have died as a result of a possible alligator attack, according to a news release from Largo Police Department. The report cites two people who reported alligator sightings to Disney employees, but it is unclear what actions, if any, the employees took. 2. 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. Not the smartest decision a Florida boy could make, Merda admitted during an interview with 10 Tampa Bay that aired Monday. What are the chances of being bitten by one? He never surfaced. An 85-year-old woman who was walking her dog by a pond near her home in Fort Pierce, Fla., was killed when an alligator dragged her into the water on Monday, the authorities said . Always stay at least ten feet from the water. A new report by Florida wildlife officials includes witness accounts of the deadly alligator attack on 2-year-old Lane Graves. In August, a young wildlife expert lost part of his arm during a routine interaction with an alligator at a park in Venus. Eric Merda, 43, of Sarasota, was visiting the Lake Manatee Fish Camp in Myakka City on July 17 when he got lost in the woods. The statement added: According to neighbors, Gloria was a widow, and her family members included five children and seven grandchildren. 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. While she is walking away with her dog, the alligator leaps out of the water trying to. The woman was walking at about 8:15 a.m. when the alligator dragged her into. Here's why. Fort Pierce is home to an idyllic downtown, an award-winning farmers market and some of the most beautiful beaches and waterways in Florida. Lane's body was found following a 16-hour search. 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. 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. It's estimated to be among the densest concentration of alligators for a large lake in America, although Lake Okeechobee has more alligators thanks to its massive size (730 square miles). There have been other alligator attacks in Marion County. ABC 15. 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. For . Talk of The Villages Florida - Rentals, Entertainment & More, Anyone know how big and deep Lake Weir is? Serge was able to pull her dog out of the way, but . For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. "We arrived on scene within minutes and recovered her body, kept surveillance on the alligator with our helicopter and personnel around the lake, and assisted the FWC trapper with identifying the alligator and dragging it out of the water," Sheriff Ken Mascara told TCPalm, part of the USA TODAY Network. The lake's shore is surrounded by residential areas and citrus groves. Increased alligator attacks have been occurring in Sugar Land, Texas. To report alligator sightings, please call the Fort Worth City's Marshal Office at Lake Worth at 817-238-9090. Gator Bay Marina (352) 365-2177 10320 County Rd 44 Leesburg, FL 34788. Animal attack: Martin County closes park trails after alligator bites bicyclist who fell on it, A 12-foot, 463-pound alligator was found on a Florida interstate: "He wasn't happy". It's part of a chain of lakes in south central Florida known for their fishing, boating, and bird watching. The footage shows La Verde swimming from the left while the alligator approaches from the right. "Snagged him on the bottom. Lake Weir is located in Marion County, Florida and almost borders the Ocala National Forest. "I saw the gator grab her." Authorities have identified the 85 year old as Gloria Serge, she was killed by an alligator in Fort Pierce while she walked her dog. La Verdeis a U.S. Air Force veteran and an Oldsmar firefighter. A Warner Bros. 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. 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