CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte-based triathlete and coach was attacked by an alligator while training in the Savannah River along the border between South Carolina and Georgia, according to police.

The victim has been identified as 31-year-old Jonathan Bruney of Charlotte, and his injuries were not life-threatening, officials said.

The attack happened around 10 a.m. Sunday in North Augusta, as Bruney was coaching a preview swim for the IRONMAN Augusta competition in September.

“We took precautions, were swimming together, using highly visible swim buoys, and were supervising the group throughout the swim,” Bruney said in a statement released to The Charlotte Observer.

“Without warning, a roughly 4–5 foot alligator struck my right side and bit down on my tricep/upper arm. I immediately grabbed its head and pushed my thumb into its eye. Thankfully, it released me.”

Bruney says he quickly swam to a nearby private dock, while yelling for the other swimmers to get out of the water.

The alligator did not attack the other swimmers, police said.

“Once on land, the swimmers applied a makeshift tourniquet to Bruney’s injured arm and flagged down a person in the area to contact 911,” police said.

A police officer wrapped the 4-to-5 inch wound and provided emergency care until EMS personnel arrived, officials said.

Bruney was taken to hospital and learned the bite “went through the skin and deeper tissue” of his tricep. Treatment required “quite a few stitches,” he said.

“I’m recovering, and I’m extremely fortunate the outcome wasn’t worse,” Bruney said. “I’ll heal up, and I plan on being back training and racing at the starting line in Augusta for the Ironman in a few weeks.”

A police officer attempted to find the alligator, but it eluded capture and remains at large, officials said.

The attack occurred about 60 yards from shore near East Shoreline Drive, and Bruney says the athletes “did not see the alligator beforehand” or provoke it.

Bruney is the founder of the Charlotte Ironman & Tri Club and works at NVDM Coaching.

Alligators are native to the Savannah River and can reach 13 feet in length, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources says.

North Augusta is about a 160-mile drive southwest from uptown Charlotte.

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