On camera, the heart-stopping moment when an unassuming man ran into a 12-foot alligator at a Florida lake was captured.
Juan Carlos La Verde was swimming from a lake Thonotosassassa’s dock when he came across the huge gator. He was unaware of what had happened until the gator tried his best to eat him.
He had actually hired a drone-equipped photographer to take a promo photo as he trained for a race he was organizing.
The drone captured every second of the bloody, sudden encounter.
La Verde, a former member of the United States Air Force Pararescue, was seen trying to reach shore during this terrifying ordeal.
He was rushed to the hospital by a good Samaritan who also called 911 to notify authorities.
Now, La Verde’s jaw is wired shut after undergoing a six-hour surgery to repair and reconstruct damage to his skull and head, according to A GoFundMe campaign It was created for him.
“Currently, we do not know how long he will be admitted under the care of the experts at Tampa General Hospital,”You can read the GoFundMe webpage. “JC is a man who has dedicated his entire life to helping others. He has always chosen a path of selfless and meaningful service committing his entire life to service … With your help, we can ensure that JC and his wife Christine are supported as they navigate this challenging time and embark on their recovery journey!”
More than $57,000 was raised via GoFundMe as of Friday
