Juan Carlos La Verde: Florida man, 34, survives 12-foot alligator attack even after losing half of his skull
Warning: This article contains graphic content and footage that could be traumatic for some readers. Discretion is advised.
TAMPA, FLORIDA: The city of Florida is being recognized for its increasing alligator attacks, and the day of August 3 was no different. Only this time, the horrifying attack was captured on a drone. A 34-year-old man was mauled by a 12-foot alligator as he swam in a lake near Tampa. The man miraculously survived as he could use his force to free the alligator's jaws from his head, swim back to safety, and survive the heinous alligator attack.
On Wednesday, August 3, Juan Carlos La Verde was swimming in Lake Thonotosassa to shoot an instructional video for a race organized by his outdoor adventure company called 'DefeatX'. During this time, he was attacked and the damage was severe. As per the GoFundMe page started by his family to cover the medical fees, La Verde is a firefighter/paramedic for Oldsmar Fire Rescue. Following the attack, he had to undergo six hours of emergency surgery to repair damage to his skull and to remove part of his skull from his brain. What could be a lethal alligator attack was prevented by the man himself. The experienced triathlete put his hands inside the alligator's mouth, disengaged its jaws from his head and chest, swam back to the dock, and called 911 by himself. He was driven to the hospital by a Good Samaritan bystander. Meanwhile, a drone pilot captured the Hollywood-esque alligator attack.
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The former US Air Force Pararescueman was left without the right side of his skull. Even though he survived, which is nothing of a miracle, he would need another surgery in the future and would need to wear a helmet to protect the right side of his head. Apart from the skull, he also suffered injuries to his face and was left with a punctured brain. His jaw is almost wired shut for the next few weeks. Check out the drone footage here.
'Thing was huge' says La Verde
While speaking to ABC about his experience, La Verde says, "That thing was huge. That thing wasn't a little gator. It would be funny if it was a little gator." He explained that he instantly knew what was happening saying, "With the right stroke, all I felt was scales, teeth and then right there I'm like okay. So, what I think I did, what I felt like I did, was that I immediately tried to open its jaws because I knew I was in a gator. 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."
La Verde has a new perspective after surviving this horrific incident. He goes on, "I am not going to put extra stress on somebody that is already driving a bloody man somewhere. Like if I can ease that load off of this lady. 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. I am perfectly fine. I am actually even better because this gave me a new perspective, you know, and not many people get that. Find your God. Find Him. It's silly. I get that that's scary, I do, but life is a scary place, so you can carry that load by yourself or have someone carry it for you." So far, his GoFundMe has collected more than $50,000.