ARTelevision

Alligator Bites Boy's Head, Drags Him Underwater
Trapper Removes 7-Foot Alligator From Lake

from local6.com, FL

DELTONA, Fla. -- A 12-year-old boy fought off a 7-foot alligator that clamped down on his head and dragged him underwater, according to Local 6 News.

Malcolm Locke was swimming in Lake Diana Wednesday when he noticed an alligator swimming toward him.

The boy tried to swim back to shore but the alligator attacked his head and pulled him underwater, said Joy Hill, a spokeswoman for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Locke said the alligator clamped down and wrapped its tail around the boy's stomach before pulling him down.

"I thought I was going to get swallowed up," Locke told Local 6 News.

Locke fought the alligator off by punching it and swam to shore.

A neighbor drove the boy to Florida Hospital in Orange City where he was being treated for cuts and lacerations. The alligator bit off a chunk of his ear but Locke's injuries were not life-threatening.

A trapper was sent to the lake to remove the alligator.

The best thing to do during an alligator attack is struggle, make noise and create confusion, Hill said.

"Malcolm did the right thing," Hill said. "He fought the alligator and it let him go."

...

For once, our basic instincts seem to make us do the right thing:

"The best thing to do during an alligator attack is struggle, make noise and create confusion, Hill said."

That's somewhat of a no-brainer for us - fortunately in this case.
I can't imagine someone going gently...

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Nisses

I didn't know an alligator was that nimble that it could bite down on a little kid's head, AND wrap his tail around his stomach?

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Esco

Good for the kid.

Never give up.

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Cynthetiq

I watched this on the ABC jumbotron this morning when I was walking thru Times Square... amazing story and watched the mom/kid interview

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H12

Suddenly, Steve Irwin doesn't impress me half as much as he once did.

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cchris

Kids of today.

Plenty of hope yet.

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Farm

I've heard of a donkey punch before. This gator punch is a new one.

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ChrisJericho

I've also heard that if you're being attacked by any sort of animal it's good to go for the eyes. Anyone know if this is true?

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charlesesl

Damn, I thought this thread is about that annoying spyware Gator.

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sprocket

Dunno, but I've always read its best to go for the nose of most animals if you have too. Bears dont like being hit square in the nose.

Supposed to be effective in shark attacks too, that is if you can get off a strong enough punch underwater.

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nash

First of all, it's the one of the most vulnerable parts of their/your body. It may be difficult to get to sometimes, but it's definitely effective and causes a lot of pain! Another part of the reason is that they can't see after getting their eyes gouged out. Just imagine yourself getting your eyes gouged out, you'd probably stop fighting immediately wouldn't you?

WarWagon

Hmm, this kid sounds tough. I think I want to fight him.

Soggybagel

Wow. Definitley a lucky kid.

analog

Yay I live in central FL and it was all over my news (including local6, which is my station here)! In the interview, the kid says, "i just started hittin' it" lol

He gets the "gee, that's a good idea" award!

Yup, especially from the angle the gator got him... and it's not really "wrapped AROUND" the stomach, it just curls over it to keep him still.

As has been said, nose\eyes are fairly accessible points on most animals, especially when being bitten, and it's pretty much unilaterally effective on some level to hit them there. Can you think of a worst place to be punched... above the belt?

EDIT: Just thought I'd mention he said he got 6 staples in his head to close up the wound. Also, the gator didn't attack him straight out, the boy had jumped in the lake and was swimming when he was attacked. People around here usually have more respect for the presence of gators in bodies of water.

water_boy1999

You're killing me warwagon

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Munku

Hey! I live in CFL Too! Hoorah for gator smashers!