A man running from police in Louisiana jumped into a swamp and was immediately attacked by an alligator. The reptile bit him on the arm and dragged him underwater. Officers had to shoot the alligator to free the man.
The incident happened on June 8 near the town of Slidell, about 30 miles northeast of New Orleans. The man, whose name has not been released, was wanted on an unspecified warrant. Police spotted him and gave chase. He ran into a wooded area and plunged into a swamp to escape.
A gator grabbed him and pulled him under
Within seconds of entering the water, an alligator seized the man's arm and began a death roll, a spinning motion alligators use to disorient prey. The man screamed for help. Officers from the Slidell Police Department arrived at the swamp's edge and saw the attack unfolding. One officer fired a single shot, killing the alligator. The man was then pulled from the water.
The victim was airlifted to a hospital
Emergency responders treated the man at the scene for severe bite wounds and lacerations to his arm. He was airlifted to a hospital in New Orleans. His condition was reported as serious but stable. The alligator measured about eight feet long. Wildlife officials later removed the carcass.
Local residents in St. Tammany Parish, where Slidell is located, are accustomed to alligators in the region's bayous and swamps. But attacks on humans are rare. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the state has about two million wild alligators. Fatal attacks are uncommon. The last recorded death from an alligator in Louisiana was in 2021.
This case stands out because the man was fleeing police when he encountered the animal. Authorities said the officers acted quickly to save his life. The man now faces both the original warrant and potential charges related to the chase. He is expected to survive.
