This dad jumped into an enclosed alligator pool after it attacked its own handler. The dad managed to save the life of the trainer who was caught in the jaws of the gator by jumping on its back and wrestling it until it let go.
Brave Dad Jumps On And Wrestles Alligator To Save Trainer From Attack
What was supposed to be a children's birthday party turned into a surprising gator attack with thankfully zero casualties. Thanks in most part to a dad in attendance.
A video taken at the scene shows a handler from a Utah based company by the name of ‘Scales & tails’ working with a gator.
The gator can be seen trying to bite at the handler’s hand and she can be seen moving in towards the enclosed pool to better handle the reptile.
This is when the gator gets its jaws onto her body, catching her in a death roll as he continues to clamp onto her.
This is when Donnie Wiseman, 48, jumps into action. He first tries to get a hold of the trainer from outside the tank but when he realises that won't help, he doesn’t hesitate to jump straight into the tank.
Wiseman can be seen jumping onto the back of the gator and trying to pry open its jaws so it can loosen its grip on the handler.
Wiseman later said, “I'm just like…what do I do? What do I need to do…and I got on him, just like in all the movies and documentaries I've seen.”
At the time of the attack, the handler remained calm and gave instructions to Wiseman and another man Todd Christopher on how to help her escape from the pool.
The two finally managed to get the handler free as other bystanders ushered the children towards safety.
Wiseman’s spouse who has a background in nursing performed first aid before emergency services could arrive at the location.
Scales & Tails have confirmed the handler underwent surgery and was recovering. They also released a statement thanking bystanders and Wiseman for their bravery.
“These gentlemen could have stayed in the safety zone as most of us would, but instead jumped into the situation, of their own volition, and helped secure the alligator,' the company said in a statement. Their help, combined with the training of our staff member, probably saved her life and her limbs.”
“I'm glad he wasn't any bigger. We would have been in trouble. I would say he was about seven feet. I'm 6'3', and he had me beat by a bit.”