Doctors unable to reattach arm alligator tore off

A MAN’S arm was bitten off by an alligator as he snorkelled in a South Carolina lake in the US, but doctors were unable to reattach it.

Bill Hedden, 59, was bitten by a 3.6m alligator on Sunday afternoon in Lake Moultrie.

He was taken to the Medical University of South Carolina.

The Charleston Post and Courier reported that a family member said doctors were unable to reattach the arm, but that Mr Hedden was nevertheless in good spirits.

“The first order of Bill’s care has been to stop the bleeding and save his life. His surgeons and health- care team are determining the next steps in his care at this time,” the family said in a statement.

Authorities say Mr Hedden, a retired master chief with the US Navy, was snorkelling at the Short Stay Navy Outdoor Recreation Area when the alligator tore his arm from his shoulder.

Mr Hedden stumbled into a party of picnickers with his arm missing and blood gushing from his wound. Five nurses were among the party and put ice on his wound and kept him awake until paramedics could arrive.

His arm was retrieved from the alligator’s stomach after wildlife officers shot the animal.

The limb was rushed to the hospital in an ice cooler with a police escort.