Alligator assaults triathlete swimming in South Carolina river

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte-based triathlete and coach was attacked by an alligator whereas coaching within the Savannah River alongside the border between South Carolina and Georgia, in accordance with police.

The sufferer has been recognized as 31-year-old Jonathan Bruney of Charlotte, and his accidents weren’t life-threatening, officers mentioned.

The assault occurred round 10 a.m. Sunday in North Augusta, as Bruney was teaching a preview swim for the IRONMAN Augusta competitors in September.

“We took precautions, were swimming together, using highly visible swim buoys, and were supervising the group throughout the swim,” Bruney mentioned in a press release launched to The Charlotte Observer.

“Without warning, a roughly 4-5 foot alligator struck my right side and bit down on my tricep/upper arm. I immediately grabbed its head and pushed my thumb into its eye. Thankfully, it released me.”

Bruney says he rapidly swam to a close-by personal dock, whereas yelling for the opposite swimmers to get out of the water. The alligator didn’t assault the opposite swimmers, police mentioned.

“Once on land, the swimmers applied a makeshift tourniquet to Bruney’s injured arm and flagged down a person in the area to contact 911,” police mentioned.

A police officer wrapped the 4-to-5 inch wound and offered emergency care till EMS personnel arrived, officers mentioned.

A police officer tried to seek out the alligator, but it surely eluded seize and stays at giant, officers mentioned.