SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A 31-year-old Orlando woman was killed, and a juvenile was injured in separate alligator attacks in Central Florida over the weekend.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the deadly attack happened Sunday afternoon on the Econlockhatchee River near the Barr Street Trailhead in the Little Big Econ State Forest in Seminole County.
A 31-year-old Orlando woman was killed, and a juvenile was injured in separate alligator attacks in Central Florida over the weekend. (CNN Newsource)
FWC Public Information Officer Chad Weber said officials received a call around 1:30 p.m. reporting that a swimmer had been bitten by an alligator.
“First and foremost, the FWC wants to extend its condolences to the family,” Weber said during a news conference. “It’s a very tragic time.”
According to Weber, a 31-year-old Brittany Clark of Orlando was swimming in the river with friends when she was attacked.
“We received a phone call from Seminole County that a swimmer was bitten by an alligator,” Weber said. “At that time, Seminole County, FWC and Department of Forestry responded to a 31-year-old female.”
Authorities said Clark suffered devastating injuries to both arms. Weber said Clark’s boyfriend attempted to pull her from the alligator’s grasp and made the initial emergency call.
The boyfriend was the one that made the phone call. He was trying to get her from the alligator’s mouth.”
Recordings of the 911 call captured the frantic moments after the attack.
Somebody got bit by a gator. Bad. Real bad. Please, hurry.”
As first responders worked to reach the remote location, the caller described the extent of the woman’s injuries.
One of them is hanging on by a thread, and the other one’s off.”
The victim was transported to a hospital but died from her injuries.
“On the way to the hospital, she did pass away from her injuries,” Weber said.
FWC, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Forestry responded to the scene. Authorities also deployed helicopters to help locate the animal.
“We utilized our air assets, and Seminole County utilized their helicopter as well to locate the alligator,” Weber said.
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FWC said a 13-foot alligator found at the attack site and a 12.5-foot alligator found about a half-mile away were captured and killed. Samples were collected from both animals as part of the investigation.
“We have harvested two that were in the area. One was 12 foot, the other one was 13 foot,” Weber said. “So currently, we’re still conducting the investigation.”
The Seminole County attack came one day after a separate alligator bite in Marion County.
FWC said a juvenile was bitten on the hand while fishing from shore at Nelson Fish Camp on June 27. The victim was transported to a hospital for treatment. An FWC law enforcement officer later dispatched an 8-foot, 7-inch alligator connected to the incident.
Both incidents remain under investigation.
FWC said serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in Florida but urged residents and visitors to remain cautious around waterways.
The agency administers the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program, known as SNAP, which uses contracted trappers to remove alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property.
Anyone concerned about a potentially dangerous alligator can contact FWC’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286.
FWC recommends keeping a safe distance from alligators, keeping pets leashed and away from the water’s edge, swimming only in designated areas during daylight hours and never feeding alligators.
“The FWC extends its deepest sympathies to the victim’s family and loved ones,” the agency said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.”