A baseball-mad Pennsylvania schoolboy lost his hand in a savage alligator attack while on a fishing vacation \u2013 despite his dad\u2019s best efforts to free him moments before it performed a terrifying roll. <\/p>\n
Brodie Terry, 11, was attacked during the trip at Nelson\u2019s Fish Camp, Marion County, Florida, on June 27, just about as he was to release a fish back into the water, WKMG reported.<\/a><\/p>\n The gator, which measured eight-feet, seven-inches, clamped its teeth into Brodie\u2019s hand, sparking a frantic response.<\/p>\n Brodie Terry, 11, stands on a boat and holds a fish. Gofundme<\/p>\n \u201cBrodie\u2019s father jumped into the water on top of it and tried to pry his mouth open,\u201d relative Andrew Raines told WKMG.<\/p>\n \u201cThe gator rolled, and that\u2019s what ultimately severed Brodie\u2019s hand.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Gators perform the maneuver, known as a roll, to drown and tear apart their prey.\u00a0<\/p>\n Doctors desperately tried to save Brodie\u2019s hand before it was later amputated. He was released from the hospital Friday and is recovering back in his native Pennsylvania. <\/p>\n The alligator involved in the attack was later killed by Florida wildlife officials. <\/p>\n \u201cThis tragic accident has not only changed Brodie\u2019s life but has also placed a tremendous burden on his family as they navigate the aftermath,\u201d his family say.\u00a0<\/p>\n Brodie was hospitalized after being injured in the alligator attack. Family Handout<\/p>\n The attack happened at Florida\u2019s Nelson Fish Camp. Google Maps<\/p>\n \u201cBrodie\u2019s passion for fishing, baseball and football have always brought him joy, and now he faces the challenge of adapting to his new circumstances while holding onto the things he loves.\u201d<\/p>\n Florida is home to around 1.3 million gators \u2013 and the state has recorded more than 450 attacks since 1948.\u00a0<\/p>\n But just over 30 of those have proved to be fatal, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission revealed.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n