Sarasota Man Attacked By Gator is Lost in Woods For Days
Sarasota Man Attacked By Gator Walked in Woods For Days With Missing Arm.
An alligator assault cost a Florida man his arm, and he then spent the following three days scouring the swamp in search of rescue. According to WTSP, On July 17, 43-year-old Eric Merda of Sarasota was at the Lake Manatee Fish Camp in Myakka City when he became lost in the woods. He ended up choosing to swim across the lake rather than wander around when he got back to the lake. Merda acknowledged, “Not the best choice a Florida boy could make.” I turn around and see a gator on my right side. Before performing the death roll and taking off with his right arm, it dragged him underwater three times.
Merda swam back to the coast and then began to walk while calling for assistance. He finally found a fence with a man on the other side after 3 days of roaming. He gasped, “Holy smokes dude!” when I told a gator had grabbed my arm. Merda spoke about the encounter. He was quickly transported by air to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where his arm’s remaining limb was severed. Merda is still adjusting to his new reality less than two months after the tragedy, but he seems to be in good shape.
Look at That Gator:
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA - JUNE 27:An alligator populates the Wakodahatchee Wetlands on June 27, 2022 in Delray Beach, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA - JUNE 27:An alligator populates the Wakodahatchee Wetlands on June 27, 2022 in Delray Beach, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA - JUNE 27:An alligator populates the Wakodahatchee Wetlands on June 27, 2022 in Delray Beach, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA - JUNE 27:An alligator populates the Wakodahatchee Wetlands on June 27, 2022 in Delray Beach, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA - JUNE 27:An alligator populates the Wakodahatchee Wetlands on June 27, 2022 in Delray Beach, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA - JUNE 27:An alligator populates the Wakodahatchee Wetlands on June 27, 2022 in Delray Beach, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA - JUNE 27:An alligator populates the Wakodahatchee Wetlands on June 27, 2022 in Delray Beach, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA - JUNE 27:An alligator populates the Wakodahatchee Wetlands on June 27, 2022 in Delray Beach, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA - JUNE 27:An alligator populates the Wakodahatchee Wetlands on June 27, 2022 in Delray Beach, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 04: An alligator swims in the Florida Everglades on May 04, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Alligator hunters who are preparing for the upcoming season, which begins in August and runs until November 1, will be able to hunt 24 hours a day after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the extension of daily gator hunting hours. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA - JUNE 27:An alligator populates the Wakodahatchee Wetlands on June 27, 2022 in Delray Beach, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 04: An alligator swims in the Florida Everglades on May 04, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Alligator hunters who are preparing for the upcoming season, which begins in August and runs until November 1, will be able to hunt 24 hours a day after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the extension of daily gator hunting hours. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 04: An alligator eats a fish in the Florida Everglades on May 04, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Alligator hunters who are preparing for the upcoming season, which begins in August and runs until November 1, will be able to hunt 24 hours a day after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the extension of daily gator hunting hours. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 04: An alligator swims in the Florida Everglades on May 04, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Alligator hunters who are preparing for the upcoming season, which begins in August and runs until November 1, will be able to hunt 24 hours a day after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the extension of daily gator hunting hours. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 04: The eye of an alligator pokes above the water line as it swims in the Florida Everglades on May 04, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Alligator hunters who are preparing for the upcoming season, which begins in August and runs until November 1, will be able to hunt 24 hours a day after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the extension of daily gator hunting hours. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 04: An alligator eats a fish in the Florida Everglades on May 04, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Alligator hunters who are preparing for the upcoming season, which begins in August and runs until November 1, will be able to hunt 24 hours a day after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the extension of daily gator hunting hours. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA - JUNE 27:An alligator populates the Wakodahatchee Wetlands on June 27, 2022 in Delray Beach, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA - JUNE 27:An alligator populates the Wakodahatchee Wetlands on June 27, 2022 in Delray Beach, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 04: An alligator swims in the Florida Everglades on May 04, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Alligator hunters who are preparing for the upcoming season, which begins in August and runs until November 1, will be able to hunt 24 hours a day after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the extension of daily gator hunting hours. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 04: An alligator swims in the Florida Everglades on May 04, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Alligator hunters who are preparing for the upcoming season, which begins in August and runs until November 1, will be able to hunt 24 hours a day after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the extension of daily gator hunting hours. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 04: An alligator swims in the Florida Everglades on May 04, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Alligator hunters who are preparing for the upcoming season, which begins in August and runs until November 1, will be able to hunt 24 hours a day after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the extension of daily gator hunting hours. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 04: An alligator swims in the Florida Everglades on May 04, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Alligator hunters who are preparing for the upcoming season, which begins in August and runs until November 1, will be able to hunt 24 hours a day after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the extension of daily gator hunting hours. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 04: An alligator swims in the Florida Everglades on May 04, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Alligator hunters who are preparing for the upcoming season, which begins in August and runs until November 1, will be able to hunt 24 hours a day after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the extension of daily gator hunting hours. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 04: An alligator swims in the Florida Everglades on May 04, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Alligator hunters who are preparing for the upcoming season, which begins in August and runs until November 1, will be able to hunt 24 hours a day after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the extension of daily gator hunting hours. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 04: An alligator swims in the Florida Everglades on May 04, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Alligator hunters who are preparing for the upcoming season, which begins in August and runs until November 1, will be able to hunt 24 hours a day after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the extension of daily gator hunting hours. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 04: An alligator swims in the Florida Everglades on May 04, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Alligator hunters who are preparing for the upcoming season, which begins in August and runs until November 1, will be able to hunt 24 hours a day after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the extension of daily gator hunting hours. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 04: An alligator swims in the Florida Everglades on May 04, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Alligator hunters who are preparing for the upcoming season, which begins in August and runs until November 1, will be able to hunt 24 hours a day after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the extension of daily gator hunting hours. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
AVONDALE, LOUISIANA - APRIL 21: Alligators are seen near the 18th green during the first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana on April 21, 2022 in Avondale, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
AVONDALE, LOUISIANA - APRIL 21: Alligators are seen near the 18th green during the first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana on April 21, 2022 in Avondale, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
AVONDALE, LOUISIANA - APRIL 21: Alligators are seen near the 18th green during the first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana on April 21, 2022 in Avondale, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
AVONDALE, LOUISIANA - APRIL 24: An alligator is seen near the 17th hole during the final round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana on April 24, 2022 in Avondale, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
AVONDALE, LOUISIANA - APRIL 24: An alligator is seen near the 17th hole during the final round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana on April 24, 2022 in Avondale, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 04: An alligator swims in the Florida Everglades on May 04, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Alligator hunters who are preparing for the upcoming season, which begins in August and runs until November 1, will be able to hunt 24 hours a day after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the extension of daily gator hunting hours. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
AVONDALE, LOUISIANA - APRIL 21: Alligators are seen near the 18th green during the first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana on April 21, 2022 in Avondale, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA - APRIL 03: An alligator is seen on course during the final round of the Korn Ferry Tour Club Car Championship at Deer Creek Golf Course on April 03, 2022 in Savannah, Georgia. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
PALM HARBOR, FLORIDA - MARCH 20: An alligator is seen during the final round of the Valspar Championship on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on March 20, 2022 in Palm Harbor, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
PALM HARBOR, FLORIDA - MARCH 17: An alligator is seen during the first round of the Valspar Championship on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on March 17, 2022 in Palm Harbor, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
PALM HARBOR, FLORIDA - MARCH 17: An alligator is seen during the first round of the Valspar Championship on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on March 17, 2022 in Palm Harbor, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
PALM HARBOR, FLORIDA - MARCH 17: An alligator is seen near the 14th green during the first round of the Valspar Championship on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on March 17, 2022 in Palm Harbor, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)