Woman dead after alligator bites off her arm in Florida river
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A 31-year-old Florida woman died after an alligator attacked her while swimming in a river.
- The alligator bit off one of her arms, and she later succumbed to her injuries.
- Authorities have captured and harvested two large alligators from the area as part of the investigation.
A 31-year-old woman died in Florida after an alligator attacked her while she was swimming in the Little Econlockhatchee River in Seminole County. The alligator bit off one of her arms, and she later passed away from her injuries on the way to the hospital.
He was trying to get her from the alligatorโs mouth.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) stated that the attack occurred on Sunday afternoon. The woman, from Orlando, was hiking with her boyfriend and best friend when they stopped to swim in about three feet of water. Her boyfriend attempted to free her from the alligator's mouth.
On the way to the hospital she did pass away from her injuries.
FWC officials have captured and harvested two alligators in the vicinity, measuring 12 and 13 feet long. DNA analysis is being conducted on these animals to help determine which one was responsible for the attack. Officials noted that it is currently the end of alligator mating season, a time when the reptiles can become more territorial, but the exact reason for this specific attack remains unclear.
We have harvested two [alligators] that were in the area. One was 12 foot and the other one was 13 foot.
Authorities are withholding the woman's name out of respect for her family. They remind the public that all freshwater bodies in Florida contain alligators and advise caution when swimming.
All freshwater water bodies do contain alligators. Just use caution when swimming in fresh water.
Originally published by Global News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.