Florida man bitten by crocodile in Everglades National Park says he 'wouldn't be here' without God

Victim, identified as Rodrigo Constain, was attacked at Flamingo Marina

Man who works in Everglades National Park captures massive crocodile known as 'Half-jaw' on camera

Flamingo Adventures employee believes crocodile is responsible for biting 68-year-old man on Sunday. (Courtesy: Shawn Crain)

A Florida man who was bitten by a crocodile after falling off his boat in Everglades National Park is now saying that "[t]here's only one reason that I'm here: It's God." 

The 68-year-old victim, identified by WTVJ as Rodrigo Constain, was attacked at the Flamingo Marina on Sunday afternoon before being airlifted to a local hospital, according to the National Park Service. 

'I am feeling good because I am alive," Constain told the station after being discharged. "I wasn't panicking and I didn't at all. I wasn't afraid, I didn't feel any panic." 

"There's only one reason that I'm here: It's God," Constain added. "If you're not with God, I wouldn't be here. He was all the time with me and that's what I think. I was not afraid, because when you believe in God, you are not afraid." 

MAN AIRLIFTED TO HOSPITAL AFTER CROCODILE BITE IN FLORIDA’S EVERGLADES 

Crocodile with open mouth

Shawn Crain, a man who works in the Everglades, says this American crocodile bit Rodrigo Constain on Sunday. (Shawn Crain)

Constain was bitten in the leg after wind knocked his boat over and he fell into the water, WTVJ reported. 

"On March 10, at approximately 16:43 hours, National Park Service rangers responded to the Flamingo Marina in Everglades National Park in response to an apparent crocodile bite," the National Park Service (NPS) said in a statement. "A 68-year-old male reportedly capsized his recreational sailboat in the marina basin and was attempting to swim to shore with his boat when he was observed going under water." 

"Park rangers in the area responded immediately to the report and treated the man for a laceration on his leg," the statement added. "Rangers and park biologists are continuing to investigate the incident and monitor the suspected crocodile, which is easily identifiable." 

FISHERMAN HOSPITALIZED AFTER GIANT ALLIGATOR BITES OFF HIS HAND IN FLORIDA POND 

Crocodile slinking across the ground

The victim was reportedly bitten on the leg by this American crocodile on Sunday. (Shawn Crain)

A man who works at Flamingo Adventures in Everglades National Park, Shawn Crain, said the croc's name around the marina is "Half-jaw," and he provided pictures and videos of the massive reptile that he took back in January.  

Everglades National Park sign

Visitors walk past a sign for Everglades National Park in January 2019. (AP/Wilfredo Lee)

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The NPS described the American crocodile as a "federally threatened species which closely resembles the American alligator." 

Fox News’ Pilar Arias contributed to this report. 

Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.

Authored by Greg Norman via FoxNews March 13th 2024