TAMPA, FL–
A Florida man is lucky to be alive after he was attacked by an alligator while filming an instructional video.
The incident occurred in Lake Thonotosassa on August 3rd.
J.C. LaVerde, an Oldsmar firefighter and paramedic says he was swimming in the lake, filming a video for his company, DefeatX when he felt the alligator grab him.
“When I felt the teeth, I immediately knew, and then as I opened it, I knew that I either turned it or it turned me, but it was confused just as I was confused, and then it just let go,” LaVerde said.
LaVerde was able to swim to a dock and got himself out of the water before flagging down a Good Samaritan to drive him to the hospital.
Once at the hospital LaVerde underwent an emergency six-hour surgery for wounds to his skull, jaw, arms, and torso.
According to the report, he has another surgery scheduled for a later date.
While he knows the dangers of swimming in the Lake, LaVerde says that day he was in a rush and he did not take all of the precautionary steps he usually takes:
“This time, I was just in a rush to get it done just because I was so focused to get it done that I forgot my swim cap. I forgot my goggles,” LaVerde said.