OCALA, Fla. (AP) — A Florida paddleboarder used an oar to push away a large alligator that swam directly toward her in a frightful, up-close encounter captured in startling videos and photographs.
The gator came within inches of 60-year-old Vicki Baker last week.
She says the reptile was almost as long as her 10-foot paddleboard. It hissed loudly at her, opening its mouth to reveal large teeth. She yelled for it to getaway.
A Silver Springs State Park ranger used a speaker to advise her to back away from the gator.
More than 1 million people have seen photos and videos of the encounter, so far.
