Florida Man Loses Arm In Alligator Attack Trying To Avoid Police

LAKELAND, Fla. (CBSNewYork) -- A man lost his arm in an alligator attack as he was trying to avoid police.

CBS Tampa Bay affiliate WTSP-TV reported Lakeland police responded to a domestic disturbance after the mother of 21-year-old Jessie Kingsinger's called authorities.

She reportedly told police her son ran into a wooded area behind their home.

Police said he jumped into a lake to get away and that's when an alligator attacked him.

"Three-quarters of his left arm bitten off by an alligator," Lakeland Police Sgt. Gary Gross told Patch.com. "It probably just happened and the officers luckily saw him."

Kingsinger was taken to Lakeland Regional Health Center after losing his arm.

"He covered the bone with it, and I applied pressure," Mike Taylor, Kingsinger's brother-in-law, told WTSP. "I held his head up, and I talked him through. I said, 'Jessie, you need to stay with me.'"

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conversation Commission is searching for the alligator.

Taylor said Kingsinger could lose more of his left arm.