Snipers Keep Rifles Trained on Alligators During Florida Water Rescue

Police in Florida used sniper rifles to offer cowl for rescue divers looking for survivors of a van that crashed right into a pond containing alligators.

The tense scene unfolded Friday in West Miami-Dade as rescue efforts have been made extra harmful by the presence of the carnivorous reptiles lengthy related to the state. Native media captured the gutsy rescue operation that authorities have but to launch key particulars.

The incident started shortly earlier than midday when a driver of a blue Toyota minivan misplaced management whereas attempting to exit a turnpike and crashed right into a retention pond swimming with alligators, reported WSVN, citing the Florida Freeway Patrol.

Authorities, together with the Florida Freeway Patrol and Miami-Dade police, have been summoned to the scene, per WPLG.

Rescue divers started the seek for survivors in murky water with police snipers positioned across the pond with rifles to guard the primary responders from alligators, per WSVN. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee officers have been additionally summoned to the scene.

It is not clear if snipers fired any pictures, in keeping with WKMG.

“The car misplaced management, overturned, driving off of the roadway into the pond,” stated Florida Freeway Patrol Lt. Alex Camacho, per WSVN. “Dive groups from fireplace rescue and Miami-Dade Police did their search and rescue, and have been capable of rescue an grownup feminine and grownup male inside the car on the time.”

First responders administered CPR to the lady after pulling her from the water and paramedics transported each unnamed victims to an area hospital the place they have been in vital situation, in keeping with WSVN.

The Florida Freeway Patrol later stated that one individual died, however didn’t launch their id.

Authorities are persevering with their investigation of the incident, per WPLG.

Encounters with alligators are nothing new in Florida and different southern states. A Florida couple final month stated an 8-foot alligator broke into their storage and obtained right into a field of Weight-reduction plan Coke. One other household within the Sunshine State reported {that a} 550-pound alligator broke into their property to take a swim of their pool.

In Texas, a lady stated that an alligator struck her with its tail whereas she was on her porch.

A College of Florida report discovered that unprovoked alligator assaults are unusual. About 4 p.c of alligator assaults on people within the U.S. are deadly, a majority of which have occurred in Florida, in keeping with the report.

Newsweek has reached out to the Florida Freeway Patrol for remark.