This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

NORTH CAROLINA (WGNO)- A kayaker’s peaceful journey down a North Carolina river is interrupted by a very close encounter with an alligator.

Pete Joyce was navigating a swampy section of the Waccamaw River when the pushy predator showed up.

The alligator slammed into the kayak’s side, tipping Joyce into the water.
Luckily, he was able to grab a tree branch to avoid being turned upside down. He says, the close call left him with a different appreciation for alligators.