A father and son found themselves surrounded by hungry alligators after becoming stranded in a swamp – resulting in a terrifying near miss.
The pair became stuck in deep mud when their ATV ran out of fuel in a remote nature reserve, leaving them trapped as darkness fell.
With their drinking water running low and their shoes caked in swamp muck, they called 911 for help.
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Deputies from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) were dispatched, as reported by Need To Know.
CCSO’s Aviation Bureau used the pair’s GPS coordinates to track them down and spotted a small fire the duo had lit in a bid to dry their soaked clothes and signal for help.
The reserve is known for its large alligator population, adding to fears as the daylight faded.
Fire rescue specialists helped lift the father and son to safety. No injuries were reported, and the small fire was extinguished.
CCSO said: “This is another example of CCSO’s great training put into practice and the success that comes from seamless partnerships.”
Luckily for the pair, no alligators approached before rescuers arrived.
The incident took place on Thursday (4 December) in the Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida.
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