Alligator attacks Charlotte triathlete swimming in South Carolina river, police say
A Charlotte-based triathlete and coach was attacked by an alligator while training in the Savannah River along the border between South Carolina and Georgia, according to police.
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The victim has been identified as 31-year-old Jonathan Bruney of Charlotte, and his injuries were not life-threatening, officials said.
The attack happened around 10 a.m. Sunday in North Augusta, as Bruney was training with other swimmers for the Ironman 70.3 Augusta, scheduled for Sept. 27.
“He had been swimming in the Savannah River from Hammond’s Ferry and was in the area of the 300 block of E. Shoreline Drive when the incident occurred,” according to a North Augusta Department of Public Safety incident report.
“Bruney stated that he felt a force strike his right bicep and was briefly pulled underwater. He realized he was being attacked by an alligator and used his left hand to place his thumb into the alligator’s eye, causing it to release him.”
Bruney says he yelled for nearby swimmers to get out of the water and go to the nearest dock, which is at East Shoreline Drive, the report states.
The alligator did not attack the other swimmers, police said.
“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 said.
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A police officer wrapped the 4-to-5 inch wound and provided emergency care until EMS personnel arrived, officials said.
“Bruney declined transportation by EMS and advised that he would travel by personal vehicle to Wellstar Hospital for further treatment,” police said.
The officer attempted to find the alligator, but it eluded capture and remains at large.
Bruney says he initially thought the impact was due to hitting a log in the water, but then realized it was a 4-to-5 foot alligator, WRDW reports. The attack happened about 60 yards from shore, and another swimmer reported seeing the same alligator and veering to avoid contact with it, the station said.
Bruney is the founder of the Charlotte Ironman & Tri Club and works at NVDM Coaching.
Alligators are native to the Savannah River and can reach 13 feet in length, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources says.
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North Augusta is about a 160-mile drive southwest from uptown Charlotte.
