Overview of the Encounter

Doug, a 17-year-old who was visiting his uncles in Florida from Charlotte, North Carolina.

Date: March unknown, 1983

Year: 1983

Location: Brington, Florida

Land Managed By: Private Property

Nearest Town: unknown

County: unknown

State: Florida

Nearest Landmark: Manatee River

Witness Accounts

On a morning in March 1983, Doug, a 17-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina, was visiting his uncles in Brington, Florida. After waking up early, he decided to take a walk to a familiar area near the Manatee River, specifically to a corrugated pipe that served as a storm drain. Doug had fond memories of fishing there with his uncle in the past. The weather was cool, about 41 to 45 degrees, and after sitting by the pipe for around 20 minutes, he decided to head back. As Doug made his way back, he heard rustling sounds from the left, coming from the riverbank covered with tall pon ferns. Intrigued, he stopped in his tracks to observe. Suddenly, a large, unknown creature emerged from the ferns. Doug noted that the creature's head and shoulders were towering above the six-foot ferns, making it apparent that this was no ordinary animal. Despite being startled, Doug instinctively found cover behind a tree, allowing him to continue observing the creature, which at this point was angling away from him. As the creature walked toward a nearby Pavilion, Doug was able to get a better look at it. The sun was beginning to rise, illuminating the figure. Doug estimated the creature's height to be around eight feet, as it was almost level with the Pavilion's roof. The creature was described as having auburn red hair covering its body, with notably long arms that reached down past its knees. Doug was struck by the sheer size and appearance of the creature; it was unlike anything he had ever seen before. Feeling a mix of fear and disbelief, Doug remained frozen behind the tree, trying to process the sight before him. However, the situation escalated quickly when he accidentally stepped on a twig, creating a loud snapping sound. At that moment, the creature turned its head sharply in Doug's direction, locking eyes with him. This triggered an instinctual response in Doug to flee. The creature gave chase, and Doug found himself with little choice but to jump over a nearby eight-foot tall fence to escape. In the frantic rush to escape, Doug managed to clear the fence, but not without tearing his jeans in the process. As he landed on the other side, he spotted the creature following him closely, its feet pounding the ground as it approached the fence. Doug described the creature's face as being black and leathery, with enormous black eyes devoid of pupils staring right at him. For what felt like an eternity, they stood just six feet apart, examining each other. The creature, appearing agitated, began to pull at the fence, breaking the barbed wire with apparent ease. Doug was overwhelmed with fear, realizing he was in grave danger. The creature continued to manipulate the fence until it found a spot that would allow it to slip through. Doug then described the creature's athleticism, remarking on how it seemed to bounce as it ran parallel to him, navigating through the dense underbrush typical of the Floridian woods. Despite Doug's significant fear, he had an opportunity to observe detailed features of the creature. He noted that it had five digits on its feet and long hair that swayed in the breeze. As Doug continued to run for his life, he could hear sounds as the creature ran into the thick vines that dominated the area, but he was too scared to look back or to gauge what had happened to it. Ultimately, Doug's encounter with the creature left a lasting impression, influencing him for the rest of his life. He described the experience as terrifying, with vivid details of the creature that he has struggled to convey adequately even years later. He expressed a desire to have an artist capture the likeness of the creature based on his memories, indicating the profound impact this experience had on him, and how it has shaped his understanding of the world around him.

Source

YouTube

Note: Information above was collected and summarized by A.I. Dates, name and location could be inaccurate or wrong.