Florida man bitten on the face by 12-foot alligator

man is attacked by alligator in Florida lake
Juan Carlos La Verde, a firefighter and paramedic, was attacked by an alligator in a Florida lake while filming a promotional video for a race his company was hosting
Drone footage revealed the moment a 12-foot alligator swam towards La Verde, 34, clamped its jaws around his head and chest
Incredibly, La Verde fought back, forced open the reptile's mouth and escaped back to the dock where he called 911 himself
A bystander came to his aid and drove him to hospital where he underwent a six-hour surgery to his face and skull
Florida man who was bitten on the face by 12-foot alligator had to undergo a six-hour-long surgery on his skull and jaw.

JC La Verde, firefighter and paramedic for Oldsmar Fire Rescue, had been swimming in Lake Thonotosassa, towards the northeast of Tampa, on August 3 when the alligator attacked, according to a GoFundMe page.

He will need further medical treatment and will have to wear a helmet to protect his head in the meantime, WFTS reported