TEMPLE TERRACE, Fla. — A Temple Terrace woman said she was attacked by an alligator Thursday along the Hillsborough River after she went in to cool off.

What You Need To Know

  • Rachel Thompson was taken to the hospital following the attack 

  • She underwent surgery for a fracture to her lower leg and said the biggest risk left is a possible infection 

  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating

Rachel Thompson said after her morning jog and yoga, she got in the water. When she was getting out, she described being attacked by an alligator.

"The moment that I saw his head, it was just a fraction of a second from me seeing his head and him grabbing my leg."  

Grabbing a rock, punching the alligator, and more, Thompson did everything she could to escape its clutches. 

"I realized as hard as I was trying to pull I was losing ground," she said. "He was managing to still gain ground and gradually pull me further toward the center of the river toward deeper water. In desperation, I just reached my hands to either side of his jaws and I pried them open."

After crawling back to land, Thompson's son found her and a neighbor took her to the hospital. 

With her kids by her side, Thompson said she's grateful to be alive. 

"I was not ready to leave my family," she said. 

Thompson underwent surgery for a fracture to her lower leg and said the biggest risk left is a possible infection. 

She's hoping to be discharged from the hospital on Saturday. 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating.