THIS is the horror moment an alligator wrestler’s toe is ripped off in front of shocked families.
Tyson Florence, 36, was carrying out a routine in front of a cheering crowd when the alligator’s jaw clamped down on his right foot.
CatersTyson was wrestling with an alligator in a shallow pool[/caption]
CatersA barefoot Tyson performed stunts around the alligator before the horror moment[/caption]
CatersTyson was left gruesome injuries[/caption]
Onlookers immediately rushed to his rescue and Tyson managed to clamber out of the inflatable pool.
But the damage had been done, with his big toe almost completely severed.
Tyson was subsequently stretchered off to hospital, but doctors were unable to save the toe.
He said: “As soon as it happened, a million things were going through my mind.
“I know and have known for a long time that when working with these animals, it’s always a possibility to lose a limb, so I knew it could happen to me one day, but you always just hope that it won’t be you that it happens to.”
Tyson was performing at the Big Cypress Reservation in Florida, where traditional native events are hosted by the Seminole Tribe.
The annual event has a freestyle wild alligator wrestling segment, which sees people from all around the states come to showcase their alligator-handling abilities.
The footage shows a cheering and whooping crowd watching as Tyson, wearing rolled up jeans, steps into a shallow inflatable pool.
Taking his shoes off to expose his bare feet, Tyson – one of 10 competitors – starts tapping the huge reptile and waving his hands through its open mouth.
He then takes hold of the alligator with both hands, firmly keeping its mouth closed and pulls it across the pool to the centre.
At one point, leans forwards on all fours so his nose is touching the end of the alligator’s mouse.
Tyson, watched by his fiancée and family, then puts his head towards alligators mouth, before starting the routine that cost him his toe.
He pivots around, shakes his right leg before placing his right foot inside the open mouth.
In a flash, he loses his grip and the alligator’s mouth clamps down on his foot and starts to death roll.
Tyson was whisked off to Memorial Regional Hospital, where he was treated.
He added: “During the moment, I was shocked honestly, but I am a military combat veteran, so I know how to stay calm under pressure.
“I just had to remain calm enough to be able to get out of the situation without making it worse or hurting the animal.”
Tyson continued: “The moment when I found out that I was going to lose the toe was horrible! I was really upset, but I accepted it.
“It took me a few months to adapt to all this, let alone walking without a toe! But I have done very well as I am back at work.
“Physically there is still a lot of pain and there are some days when it is worse than others and that’s the same for me mentally.
“I am okay with it most days but there are days where it makes me sad and a little angry with myself.”
CatersTyson’s toe was removed following the horror incident[/caption]
CatersTyson is seen clamping his hands around the alligator’s jaw[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
