Gator Bites Diver Retrieving Golf Balls

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

americanoregon

Registered
Scuba Instructor
Messages
55
Reaction score
0
Gator Bites Diver Retrieving Golf Balls

Wednesday, April 26, 2006
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - A diver hired by the city to retrieve golf balls from a lake was attacked by a 9-foot alligator that bit the man's arm, authorities said.

Stephen Martinez, 43, of Coral Springs, was treated at a hospital for injuries similar to a dog bite, said Palm Beach County sheriff's Lt. Rolando Silva.

"It's serious, but certainly not life-threatening," he said.

Martinez was under murky water at The Links golf course when a group of golfers heard him yell for help, said course manager Dan Hager.

The alligator apparently bit Martinez's air tank and tried to pull him under the water. Martinez grabbed a utility knife strapped to his dive suit and tried to stab the animal. That's when it bit his arm, Hager said.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was investigating.

The alligator was trapped and will have to be euthanized, commission spokeswoman Dani Moschella said.

---

Information from: The Palm Beach Post, http://www.pbpost.com
 
Hmmm. Now there's a hazard most of us don't worry about . . . .
 
I am sure Stephen had the proper PADI golf ball diver c-card but did he have a hunting license to hunt gators with a knife.
 
The gator was protecting his water hole, it was self defence against an intruder.
 
Gee. Now you know why more golfers don't go in after those misdirected balls.

Take the penalty and drop any day.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

Back
Top Bottom