A Hilton Head Island woman who was attacked by an eight foot alligator yesterday morning is alive thanks to some extremely brave and quick-thinking neighbors.
According to a press release from the Town of Hilton Head, Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue responded to call at 8:19am on Thursday about an alligator incident. Following treatment at the scene, the woman was transported to Memorial Health in Savannah.
The victim was walking her small dog around the lagoon near Rookery Way in Hilton Head Plantation when the incident occurred. The dog was not harmed.
According to Fire Rescue personnel, a witness heard commotion near the lagoon located near her home. She investigated and found the victim in the water with an alligator latched on to her lower leg(s).
The witness entered the water and tried to pull the victim back to safety. Then the witness’s husband joined the rescue effort and, according to reports, repeatedly hit the alligator with a shovel and together they were able to free her and call 911.
In addition to Fire Rescue personnel, Hilton Head Plantation security and administrative staff, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office deputies and SC Department of Natural Resources (SDNR) officers were at the scene.
SDNR arranged for removal and euthanization of the alligator, and plan to examine its contents to determine if had been fed, said DNR spokesman David Lucas. When fed, alligators overcome their natural wariness and can begin to associate people with food.
Lucas said other details about the attack are still under investigation.
Alligators usually are not aggressive toward humans, but they are very dangerous. Unprovoked attacks by alligators smaller than 5 feet are rare, but unusual behavior does occur. Single bites usually are made by alligators that are less than 8 feet long. Alligators that are fed by humans will eventually lose their natural fear of us and this could bring on some serious problems.
“This is an unfortunate incident. We advise residents to be aware of their surroundings, especially if they are taking walks with small pets near lagoons that are habitats for alligators,” said Joheida Fister, Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue Deputy Chief.
Last year, a woman was attacked by an alligator on Callawassie Island in Okatie. The victim was trimming some plants near the edge of a pond on her property, and the alligator grabbed her by her leg and pulled her into the water.
In that attack, neighbors also witnessed it and rescued the victim.
