Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Athletes who compete in grueling Ironman competitions have to be able to handle just about anything, but an extreme sports coach recently encountered something beyond the scope of triathlons. Jonathan Bruney was swimming in South Carolina's Savannah River when he was attacked by an alligator. The only way for him to save his life was to aim his thumb at the gator's eye. Thankfully, Bruney lived to tell the tale of his frightening brush with a deadly predator.
Athletes who compete in grueling Ironman competitions have to be able to handle just about anything, but an extreme sports coach recently encountered something beyond the scope of triathlons. Jonathan Bruney was swimming in South Carolina's Savannah River when he was attacked by an alligator. The only way for him to save his life was to aim his thumb at the gator's eye. Thankfully, Bruney lived to tell the tale of his frightening brush with a deadly predator.
