Watch CBS News

Homeless Man Swimming In River Attacked By Gator

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

MELBOURNE (CBSMiami) — A homeless man was bitten by an alligator while swimming in a river.

The 56-year-old man was in Melbourne's Cane Creek when the gator "came up and grabbed" him, according to Melbourne police. The attack happened under a U.S. 1 overpass.

Several officers were training in the area and heard the man's screams for help.

"The officers heard the screaming and found him on the bank of the river with significant gashes on his shoulder. We found him there on the shore," Melbourne police Cmdr. Dan Lynch told Florida Today.

The man was taken to the hospital and is expected to be okay.

Wildlife officers were called in to look for the gator.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.