A 31-year-old woman died Sunday after being bitten by an alligator while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said. “Bad, real bad please, hurry … she’s losing a lot of … please hurry … ” a 911 caller said. “Someone got bit by a gator …”FWC said the woman, who was from Orlando, was hiking with her friends near the Barr Street Trailhead in the Little Big Econ State Forest.Officials said they stopped to swim in the river around 1:30 in the afternoon Sunday.”They were in approximately 3 feet of water,” said Grant Eller with FWC. “The water levels are lower due to a statewide drought, so it is lower for normal in that area.”That’s when they said the gator bit her.”How bad is the bite?” said the 911 dispatcher. The 911 caller said “Horrible.”Her boyfriend stepped into help, trying to get her out of the alligator’s mouth, according to officials. “After the incident, the boyfriend was able to maintain hold of the victim,” said an FWC official. “The gator did release.” 911 calls released Monday detail the frantic response.The caller described the woman’s injuries, “both her arms are dislocated … off basically … one arm is completely off.” The 911 operator asks, “Is the gator coming back? “No, it went away,” the caller says. “We’re far off the trail, we’re off of a little launch area by the river … We need help now!” the caller says. “You may see a helicopter. If you see it, just try and flag it down if you can,” the operator responds. FWC said the victim passed away while on the way to the hospital. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website, effective June 29th, 2026, the Barr Street Trailhead and West Camp Primitive Sites will be closed until further notice. Related: Juvenile injured after alligator attack in Marion County, FWC saysFWC, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, and a contracted nuisance alligator trapper responded to the scene. FWC officers remained on site for hours, using a boat and a UTV as part of their investigation. The entrance to the trailhead was also closed off with caution tape, forcing hikers to go elsewhere.FWC cleared the scene around 7:30 p.m. The identity of the woman has not yet been released. 2 massive gators caught The agency reported that two alligators were harvested, one measuring 13 feet and another measuring 12 feet. DNA analysis was conducted, and samples will be sent to a lab to determine which gator was responsible for the woman’s death.Several signs near the trailhead entrance warn visitors of alligators in the area. >> Video below: FWC gives an update after woman killed by gator while swimming in Florida river3 gator attacks in 7 days This attack is the third reported in the past seven days and the second in 24 hours in Central Florida.FWC said serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in Florida. The agency administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program to address complaints concerning specific alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets, or property. Related: 3 alligator attacks reported in Central Florida within 7 daysNuisance Alligator HotlinePeople with concerns about an alligator should call FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). When someone is concerned about an alligator and calls the Nuisance Alligator Hotline, FWC will dispatch a contracted nuisance alligator trapper to resolve the situation.>> This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available.
A 31-year-old woman died Sunday after being bitten by an alligator while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said.
“Bad, real bad please, hurry … she’s losing a lot of … please hurry … ” a 911 caller said.
“Someone got bit by a gator …”
FWC said the woman, who was from Orlando, was hiking with her friends near the Barr Street Trailhead in the Little Big Econ State Forest.
Officials said they stopped to swim in the river around 1:30 in the afternoon Sunday.
“They were in approximately 3 feet of water,” said Grant Eller with FWC. “The water levels are lower due to a statewide drought, so it is lower for normal in that area.”
That’s when they said the gator bit her.
“How bad is the bite?” said the 911 dispatcher. The 911 caller said “Horrible.”
Her boyfriend stepped into help, trying to get her out of the alligator’s mouth, according to officials.
“After the incident, the boyfriend was able to maintain hold of the victim,” said an FWC official. “The gator did release.”
911 calls released Monday detail the frantic response.
The caller described the woman’s injuries, “both her arms are dislocated … off basically … one arm is completely off.”
The 911 operator asks, “Is the gator coming back?
“No, it went away,” the caller says.
“We’re far off the trail, we’re off of a little launch area by the river … We need help now!” the caller says.
“You may see a helicopter. If you see it, just try and flag it down if you can,” the operator responds.
FWC said the victim passed away while on the way to the hospital.
According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website, effective June 29th, 2026, the Barr Street Trailhead and West Camp Primitive Sites will be closed until further notice.
Related: Juvenile injured after alligator attack in Marion County, FWC says
FWC, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, and a contracted nuisance alligator trapper responded to the scene. FWC officers remained on site for hours, using a boat and a UTV as part of their investigation. The entrance to the trailhead was also closed off with caution tape, forcing hikers to go elsewhere.
FWC cleared the scene around 7:30 p.m.
The identity of the woman has not yet been released.
2 massive gators caught
The agency reported that two alligators were harvested, one measuring 13 feet and another measuring 12 feet.
DNA analysis was conducted, and samples will be sent to a lab to determine which gator was responsible for the woman’s death.
Several signs near the trailhead entrance warn visitors of alligators in the area.
>> Video below: FWC gives an update after woman killed by gator while swimming in Florida river
3 gator attacks in 7 days
This attack is the third reported in the past seven days and the second in 24 hours in Central Florida.
FWC said serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in Florida. The agency administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program to address complaints concerning specific alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets, or property.
Related: 3 alligator attacks reported in Central Florida within 7 days
Nuisance Alligator Hotline
People with concerns about an alligator should call FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). When someone is concerned about an alligator and calls the Nuisance Alligator Hotline, FWC will dispatch a contracted nuisance alligator trapper to resolve the situation.
>> This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available.