Overview
- The 31-year-old woman was bitten while swimming with friends in about 3 feet of water at the Barr Street Trailhead on the Econlockhatchee River and died after being rushed to a hospital on Sunday, June 28.
- A frantic 911 call and officials said the alligator bit the victim on both arms causing catastrophic injuries as her boyfriend tried to free her from the animal's mouth.
- Florida Fish and Wildlife officers, Seminole County deputies, and a contracted trapper removed two large alligators from the area—reported at about 12 and 13 feet—and sent tissue for DNA testing to identify which animal was responsible.
- The fatal attack follows two other recent Central Florida incidents: a juvenile bitten while fishing at Nelson’s Fish Camp and a snorkeler injured at Rainbow River within the past week.
- FWC stressed that serious attacks are rare, asked the public to use its Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR to report problem animals, and noted that mating-season activity and low water levels can increase encounter risk which may prompt more removals and temporary waterway closures.