Man's horrific injuries after 'powerful' 9ft alligator chomps down on head twice
A man who suffered horrific injuries after a nine-foot alligator chomped down on his head twice has recounted the terrifying incident that happened in a river in southwestern Florida.
Jeffrey Heim was sifting through the sand at the bottom of the Myakka River looking for a megalodon shark teeth when the beast pounced and wrapped its jaws around him. He said the initial impact made him think he had been hit by a boat - until he saw the gator, which he described as being "very powerful".
The man was wearing a GoPro on his head, which was recording at the time. Footage shows a large jolt and bubbles in the murky water, as the camera sinks to the bottom of the river.
READ MORE: Man's horrific injuries after being mauled by 9ft alligator that chomped on head
He was looking for a megalodon shark teeth (clickorlando)Mr Heim said: "It was very powerful. It seemed a lot larger than it actually was. I saw her. She did bite me twice before I knew what was happening."
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Talking to Matt Austin and Ginger Gadsden on an episode of Florida's Fourth Estate, Mr Heim said he stayed calm to avoid splashing around and looking like pray. Following two more attempted bites, the man managed to make his way onto the riverbank and call for help.
(shrkco/Instagram)He needed 34 stables in his head after the alligator bit down on his skull, with distressing images showing the injuries he suffered. Following the incident, Mr Heim told Fox 35: "I came up and I just get blasted by what felt like a propeller, like a boat going 50mph. It pulled me down with my mask off.
He suffered serious injuries to his head (clickorlando)"You never understand the power of a wild animal like that until you're in its mouth." The personal trainer, who now owns a company called SHRKco - which collects and sells the ancient shark teeth and donates profits for ocean research organisations - added: "I think my hand may have protected my face because I got a puncture wound in the top and a puncture wound in the bottom but it just happened so fast there was no way I could have defended myself.
"We just looked at each other and I didn't flail around because that would have just triggered its prey instincts even more. I was calm, thank God, so now I know how I react in a situation like that."
He realised the alligator was attacking him after being bitten (clickorlando)He moved backward slowly and was able to escape when the alligator lost interest in him. He said he felt lucky to escape - adding he believed the alligator was protecting her eggs, and admitted he was in the wrong for being there.
Thinking about the future, Mr Heim said he would love to have a museum with his finds. He explained: "Eventually someday when I'm old I want to have a museum of my best finds... and then pass that story on when I'm no longer here as well."
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