Video shows gator attacking fisherman in kayak

Man's Yorkie gets thrown into water

CASSELBERRY, Fla. – A Central Florida fisherman with a head-mounted camera captured an alligator attack while he was fishing for bass in a Casselberry lake.

Thomas Swiader said he was fishing in Triplet Lake last Wednesday around 7 p.m. when an alligator slammed into his kayak and came out of the water far enough to hit his arm.

RAW VIDEO: Gator Attack | YouTube

"It was just pure, pure fear at a certain point," Swiader said.

He said his girlfriend's Yorkie, Buffy, got thrown out of the boat after the impact, but he was able to grab her leash and immediately pull her back in.

"I'm like, 'Oh geez! Buffy!'" Swiader said.

Swaider said the alligator swam under his boat and wrapped around so he could see the tail. He estimated that the alligator was about 8 feet long.

Swiader said he paddled as fast as he could to get away.

He believes the gator was after Buffy.

Officials with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said attacks like these are rare and they believe that the gator probably thought the kayak was another gator and was being territorial.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.


Recommended Videos