An alligator seen in a South Carolina pond (Reuters)
Authorities say a 17-year-old is recovering after being bitten on the head by an alligator at a central Florida state park.
Andrew Hudson of Winter Springs was swimming Monday with friends in the Little Big Econ State Forest when he kicked what he thought was a log in the water.
The object was actually an alligator nearly 10 feet long. It came up behind Hudson and jerked him underwater.
"He kicked and started punching the gator," Mark O'Shea, a witness, told WFTV.com. "That's what he told me [happened] when he was under the water."
Hudson says he swam as fast as he could to escape the alligator. When he got to shore, blood was running from the top of his head. Hudson wrapped his shorts around his head to stop the bleeding.
Doctors at a Seminole County hospital treated Hudson for several puncture wounds on his head.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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