Terrifying moment 14-foot alligator swims over group of Girl Scouts in Texas lake
- The Girl Scout troop was swimming in Raven Lake in Huntsville State Park.
- The park did not ban swimming despite “alligators living in the park”
- The troop leader, 53, stood between the alligator and the girls until they were safe
A group of Girl Scouts swimming in a Texas lake had a breathtaking encounter with a 14-foot alligator during a camping trip last week.
The group camped in Huntsville State Park and happily swam in Raven Lake, where swimming is allowed despite the known presence of alligators.
Troop leader Nichole Glenn spotted the beast and stood between it and the girls until they were safely back on shore.
She thought it was a “log” in the water – until it started moving.
The alligator’s tail and head briefly rose to the surface as it approached the group at Raven Lake.
People screamed and ran away as alligator approached in Texas lake
“I thought this was the day I died,” Ava Miller (pictured). 11. said.
The alligator was entangled by a rope and turned away but remained in the area for more than an hour.
“I always say I love them to death. I always say I would do anything for them.
“Now I really know I would do anything for them,” Glenn told a local media outlet. KPRC2.
The girls screamed and walked away as the alligator slithered toward them in a cellphone video recorded. The alligator is estimated to be 14 feet long.
“I thought this was the day I died,” said 11-year-old Ava Miller.
Troop 114204 was on a quiet night of camping in Huntsville State Park to explore the park and learn how to fish, Glenn said.
Scout Erin White jumped off the dock and dove into the water when the alligator closed.
Troop leader Nichole Glenn spotted the beast and stood between it and the girls until they were safely back on shore. She thought it was a “log” in the water – until it started moving.
Glenn, 53, said she was determined that none of the girls would be harmed. The park allows swimming despite the presence of several alligators in the lake in the past
“I thought they were letting me go, so I jumped in and followed,” White said.
She didn’t see the 14-foot-long alligator and was chasing her friends until Glenn told them to get out.
“I was close enough to get hurt. And I didn’t even know it was there,” White told KPRC 2.
The girls were pushed to shore and no one was injured.
The alligator was tangled by a rope and turned away. But he remained in the area for more than an hour. Park police asked the public to leave the area and closed the swimming area for the remainder of the day.
Troop 114204 was on a quiet night of camping at Huntsville State Park to explore the park and learn how to fish.
The girls swam in the designated area.
Huntsville State Park has not banned swimming, even though it is known for having “alligators living in the park” on its website.
The state agency has already removed the alligators from the park, but has not decided whether to do so at this time.
The park has signs warning visitors to stay 30 feet away from alligators.
After this exhilarating experience, the Boy Scout troop has mixed feelings about swimming in the lake. Glenn said she would never swim in a lake again.
“I should probably focus more on my surroundings,” White said.
Huntsville State Park and the Department of Parks and Wildlife Revenue have been contacted for comment.
The girls have mixed feelings about swimming in the lake after this exhilarating experience.
