Triathlete Escapes Alligator Attack by ‘Pushing’ His Thumb into Animal’s Eyeball: ‘Out of Nowhere, It Hit Me’

**Triathlete Survives Alligator Attack While Training in South Carolina River**

In a shocking incident on Sunday, August 23, Jonathan Bruney, a 31-year-old Ironman triathlete and endurance coach, found himself facing an alligator attack during a training session in the Savannah River, located in North Augusta, South Carolina. Bruney was preparing himself and some athletes he coaches for the upcoming Ironman Augusta event scheduled for September 27.

Bruney was swimming in the river when, around 10:35 am local time, he was suddenly bitten on his right arm by the alligator. Initially mistaking the painful encounter for a collision with a log, the athlete was soon hit by a wave of “cold pain” that made the true nature of the attack evident, as confirmed by a report from the North Augusta Department of Public Safety.

Recalling the moment, Bruney stated, “Out of nowhere, it hit me. It was a pretty big impact to my right side… it felt as if my elbow had made a hard impact, maybe like diving on a gym basketball court.” As the alligator latched onto his arm and pulled him underwater, Bruney’s instinct kicked in, prompting him to target the creature’s eye to break free.

Using his left thumb, Bruney managed to gouge the alligator’s eye. This quick decision proved crucial, as he explained, “I just knew the eyes were what you should target. I put my hand on the snout, reached up, and pushed my thumb into his eyeball, and he released.” After managing to escape, Bruney called out for help, alerting nearby individuals of the incident.

Bleeding from the wound, Bruney was assisted by fellow triathlete Matthew Davis, a wilderness first responder, who applied a tourniquet using the cord from his swim buoy. Despite the severity of the situation, Bruney remained conscious and composed, understanding the importance of prompt action.

After finding a passer-by walking dogs, the triathletes were able to call 911. Emergency responders swiftly arrived, attending to Bruney before transporting him to a local hospital. Fortunately, medical staff informed him that while he had sustained damage to his skin and fat, the injury was not as catastrophic as it could have been. “It could have been a lot worse… I guess I won the alligator lottery,” Bruney reflected later.

Authorities conducted a search along the riverbank for the alligator but were unable to locate the creature. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was also alerted to the incident following the attack.

Prior to the attack, Bruney had been facilitating a practice run for his team to boost their confidence and alleviate pre-race nerves in anticipation of Ironman Augusta. He described the session’s purpose: “The goal was to get to Augusta and really just go through the entire simulation: swim down the river, bike part of the course, and run on the Greeneway [trail].”

Bruney was aware of the potential for alligator encounters in the river but noted that he had never intentionally put his athletes in danger. “There was no interaction with the animal prior to the bite,” he insisted, emphasising the unpredictability of wildlife encounters.

In the aftermath of the attack, medical professionals advised Bruney to refrain from swimming for three to four weeks. Despite this setback, he expresses his determination to participate in the Ironman event. “It’s Georgia. It’s the South. It happens,” he remarked, maintaining a positive attitude toward his recovery.

Davis also shared his perspective on the incident, emphasising the need for respect towards natural water bodies. “Am I scared of the water? No. But do I have a very healthy respect for the water and what’s in it? Absolutely,” he stated, categorising the event as a “freak accident.”

In the face of adversity, Bruney’s experience serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of nature and the resilience of the human spirit. As he prepares for the upcoming triathlon, his focus remains steadfast, determined to overcome the challenges ahead.