Alligator Attacks, Kills Person Near Myrtle Beach Retention Pond

MYRTLE BEACH, SC — An alligator attacked and killed a person who was near a retention pond in Myrtle Beach.

Around 11:45 a.m. Friday, the gator took hold of a neighbor who was near the edge of a retention pond on Excalaber Court. The animal dragged the person back into the pond, Horry County police said in a Facebook post.

Rescue crews were called, along with police and the state Department of Natural Resources.

A state wildlife biologist and alligator removers determined the animal should be euthanized on-site, police said.

The person was pulled from the pond and the alligator removed.

"Our hearts go out to the family and community members impacted by this tragic incident," police said.

The person's identity was not immediately released.

Jason Repak snapped a photo May 8 of three alligators at the condo complex. On Friday, he tweeted he "couldn’t have imagined" one of them was likely involved in the deadly attack.

"My prayers and heart go out to the family as my arms wrap tighter around my kids and dogs near these ponds," he said.

Alligator-related deaths are rare. A University of Florida analysis in 2019 found that about one person dies in an alligator attack every year.

"Unprovoked alligator attacks on humans are rare relative to other accidental death risks in Florida," the authors said. "An unprovoked attack happens when an alligator makes first contact with a human, whereas a provoked attack happens when the human voluntarily makes contact with or disturbs an alligator in some way."

Indeed, an average of more than 56 people die every year from venomous injuries, such as a hornet, wasp or bee sting. Of nonvenomous animal deaths, about 72 people die every year from interactions with mammals or dogs.