James Okkerse died after he was attacked by a 12-foot alligator.
James Okkerse
A man swimming with diving mask was killed by a 12-foot alligator in Florida. James Okkerse, 61, disappeared while swimming with friends at Blue Spring State Park yesterday morning. His body was later found by a dive team floating face down near the shore.
According to Carol Annen, she said: "I saw him floating around and thought he was diving. When I got there, he totally disappeared, totally, completely disappeared. My husband said he saw a 9-foot gator. I saw a lot of disturbance in the water, and my husband yelled at me to get out."
12-foot alligator killed
Wildlife officers later located the 12-foot alligator nearby and shot it dead. The police are yet to confirm if the alligator was responsible for the man's death.
It has however been confirmed by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman, Lenny Salberg who said Mr. Okkerse was not missing any limbs and that he could not tell whether the man suffered bite marks.
An autopsy to determine the cause of his death will be carried out by the police.