BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) - Joe and Marian Roeser were in a Sun City Hilton Head neighborhood tending to their yard – when their lives changed in just seconds.

A man was working in his yard when the gator bit him according to Beaufort County Sheriff’s office.

Both South Carolina DNR officers, wildlife staff and local authorities responded to the incident.

“His wife is a hero,” said Lt. Danny Allen, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the sheriff’s office report, Marian says Joe was spreading mulch with his back turned to a pond near their home, then heard him yelling for help.

So she grabbed a tomato stake and fought back.

“It does sound like they went for the eyes,” said Allen.

Joe was airlifted to a hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries as of Wednesday morning.

WTOC has reached out to the couple for updates about his condition – but have not heard back as they both recover.

Deputies remained on scene with DNR after the victim was taken to the hospital to keep an eye on the 8.5 foot alligator to make sure it didn’t attack anyone else.

“The alligator was captured and put down because of this attack,” said Allen. “But generally what we want folks to know, April and May is peak time for breeding and movement with alligators.”

Allen encourages people to notify the Department of Natural Resources immediately if an alligator continues lingering near their property.

People may not see clearly through murky water – but aggressive gators could be waiting for a moment to attack.

“Fight for your life, hit for the eye area and honestly hit wherever you can and definitely if you see some that is in need, please, someone needs to be calling 911 to get us there as soon as possible,” said Alllen.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources says:

• Generally, alligators do not chase people. Since alligators feel more vulnerable on land, the two most likely scenarios for an alligator moving toward you are: you are either between the alligator and the water (where it feels safest) or you are too close and the alligator is trying to scare you away. Alligators will open their mouth, hiss, and move forward about a foot or two if they feel particularly threatened (this is called a ‘bluff lunge’). Move away from the alligator and the water and the alligator will calm down and move away from you and towards the water.
• If you encounter an alligator: Remain aware of your surroundings, stay away from the water’s edge, and if you encounter an alligator, keep a respectful distance.

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