‘Alligator tore off leg’: Neighbor describes moments he tried to save woman killed by alligator

ST. LUCY COUNTY, Fla. – WPTV hears from a woman who went above and beyond to try to help a neighbor who was attacked by an alligator.

WPTV spoke with Carol Thomas at the Spanish Lakes Fairways Community on Tuesday afternoon. She described the heartbreaking moments that preceded the tragedy.

“The window in the middle bedroom was open,” Thomas said. “I wanted some fresh air.”

Around noon on Monday, Thomas heard a noise outside from an open window.

“I’m trying to remember what I heard. Maybe I heard “help”. I don’t remember, she said.

Thomas said she went outside and was stunned when she saw her neighbor, 85-year-old Gloria Sergecaught by an alligator.

“The alligator came up out of the water and tore off her leg,” she said.

Thomas quickly called 911. She said she turned her attention back to the water and didn’t see her neighbor.

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“Then I saw her surface about 5 feet away and she came over and pushed her hair back and tried to breathe air,” she said. “I asked her to swim to the boat to get to her or give her something, and she said: “I can’t have an alligator take over me.”

Thomas ran after the shepherd’s hook and moved closer to the embankment to desperately try to help his neighbor.

“Let her grab it, and if she can’t, then I can at least hook her or at least hit the alligator if it pops up,” she said. “But when I got back, she was nowhere to be found.

Thomas said that Serge was a wonderful neighbor who always walked his dog.

“Very nice lady, there are many friends here,” she said.

Now the neighbors are calling Thomas and stopping by to check on her, which she appreciates.

This tragedy also reinforced her belief that her two cats should stay away from water and any alligators.

The dog, which was not injured, is cared for by a neighbor.

Florida Fish and Wildlife has stated that if you need to remove an alligator from your area and it is at least 4 feet long, you can call 1-800-FWC-GATOR.