Foto: Andrey Znamenskyi / iStock / Getty Images
Thonotosassa, FL - A father and son’s day on the water quickly turned into a frightening ordeal when their jet ski allegedly broke down, leaving them stranded near a group of alligators on Lake Thonotosassa.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the department’s Marine Enforcement Section responded to the scene after receiving an emergency call.
Video released by deputies captured the moment a rescue vessel arrived.
The father can be heard telling officers that alligators began surfacing around them approximately ten minutes before help arrived.
Deputies acted quickly to assist the pair off their disabled watercraft and onto the patrol boat.
Both the father and his son were brought back to shore safely, along with the jet ski.
The father, who appeared visibly embarrassed in the footage, remarked that the fix should be easy.
One of the deputies calmly replied that breakdowns can happen to anyone and the important thing was that they were unharmed.
In a statement shared on social media, the sheriff’s office praised the quick response of their team and reiterated their commitment to public safety, both on land and in local waterways.
Authorities have not confirmed what caused the jet ski to stop working.
It is still unknown whether the issue was mechanical or due to a fuel problem.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported and the alligators never approached the stranded pair.
Officials are reminding boaters to check their equipment before heading out and to remain aware of their surroundings, especially in Florida waters where wildlife encounters are common.