Paddleboarder Thwarts Alligator Attack in Silver Springs State Park
A man on a paddleboard, Mike Head, intervened to save a woman from an alligator attack in Silver Springs State Park, Marion County. He used his paddle to fight off the nearly 10-foot alligator as it attacked the woman's arm.…
Miami Fort Lauderdale, FL, August 11, 2026 —
A dramatic rescue unfolded in Silver Springs State Park, Marion County, when a paddleboarder, identified as Mike Head, intervened to save a woman from an alligator attack. The incident occurred as a nearly 10-foot alligator attacked the woman, targeting her arm.
Head, who was on his paddleboard at the time, immediately reacted to the unfolding danger. He used his paddle to fend off the aggressive alligator, creating an opportunity for the woman to escape the immediate threat. The report states that Head employed his paddle to actively fight back against the reptile.
Following Head’s intervention, another boater present in the area assisted in bringing the injured woman to shore. Once safely on land, Head further aided the woman by using a rope to secure her wound, likely to control bleeding.
The exact circumstances leading to the alligator’s aggression and the full extent of the woman’s injuries were not detailed in the provided summary. The park’s location in Marion County places it within an area known for its natural waterways inhabited by alligators.
Story summarized from the original created by Sebastian Cuervo on wsvn.com, see more information here.
Media gallery
