Massive alligator lunging at cars on North Carolina highway scared off by firefighters’ clever approach

A 12-foot alligator that was lunging at cars in the middle of a dark road in North Carolina on Friday was encouraged to move on after firefighters deployed a unique method – spraying the massive reptile with a hose.

The giant gator was reported to be blocking traffic around 1 a.m. in Boiling Spring Lakes, a town in Brunswick County, south of Wilmington.

“This angry interloper was laying in the middle of the road and would lunge at passing motorists,” Boiling Spring Lakes Fire Rescue said.

The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office requested the help of firefighters after “deciding that a 12-foot dragon was a bit outside what they could handle solo,” according to the fire department.

But firefighters found that even they were no match for the massive alligator – until they tried a different approach.

“After a first attempt to walk this gentleman across the road failed, we turned to what we know best…. we flowed some water,” fire officials said. 

The fire department posted photos of firefighters dousing the gator with a fire hose.

“With a gentle shower deployed to encourage a retreat, the gator finally decided he was done with civilization for the time being and finally moved on back into his more natural habitat,” the department said.

The sheriff’s office thanked firefighters for their help, noting that getting the “big guy” out of the road to safety likely saved his life and the lives of those traveling on the dark roadway.