A 31-year-old Orlando woman died after a terrifying alligator attack in Central Florida, where officials say she was swimming with friends in the Econlockhatchee River when the reptile struck.
Authorities identified the victim as Brittany Clark of Orlando. The deadly encounter happened Sunday near the Barr Street Trailhead in the Little Big Econ State Forest. Officials said Clark was rushed toward a hospital as a trauma alert, but she died from her injuries before arriving.
Woman Killed In Econlockhatchee River Attack
The attack stunned Central Florida and raised fresh warnings about alligator safety during one of the most active times of the year for the animals.
Officials said Clark had been swimming with friends when an alligator believed to be a “very large” 13-footer attacked her. The incident unfolded in a popular natural area known for trails, water access, and wildlife.
A frantic 911 call captured the panic after the attack.
“Bad, real bad please, hurry … she’s losing a lot of … please hurry … ” the caller said, according to emergency calls obtained by local media. “Someone got bit by a gator….”
Boyfriend Reportedly Helped Pull Her From Alligator
According to a medical examiner’s report, Clark had been hiking with her boyfriend, Chance Allison, and another friend before the group entered the river.
After the alligator attacked, Allison and the other friend pulled Clark to shore. CPR began before first responders arrived. However, her injuries proved too severe.
Wildlife officers, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, and a contracted trapper responded to the scene as investigators worked to determine exactly what happened.
“Multiple agencies and a contracted nuisance alligator trapper have responded to the scene,” FWC press secretary Ashlee Brahier Sklute said.
Sklute also addressed the tragedy in a statement.
“The FWC extends its deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of the victim during this difficult time,” she said.
Large Alligators Removed After Fatal Attack
Officials said a “very large 13-foot alligator” was later “harvested” from the area where Clark was attacked.
Another 11-foot alligator was also “harvested” nearby, according to officials. Meanwhile, wildlife authorities warned that the current “mating season” can make dangerous alligators “very territorial.”
The agency also urged the public to report alligators that appear to “associate people” with food, saying such animals may need to be “removed from the wild.”
Third Reported Alligator Attack In The Region
Clark’s death marked the second alligator attack in 24 hours in Central Florida and the third reported in the region in a week, according to wildlife officials.
One day before the fatal attack, a child was bitten on the hand by an alligator while fishing from shore at Nelson Fish Camp near Umatilla in Marion County. The child was taken to a hospital for treatment. Later, an officer captured and killed an alligator measuring 8 feet, 7 inches.
A week earlier, a snorkeler was bitten by an alligator in the Rainbow River in Marion County. Officials temporarily closed the waterway while wildlife officers and deputies searched for the animal. Authorities later removed an 8-foot alligator, and the snorkeler was released from the hospital.
Florida Officials Issue Alligator Safety Warning
Serious alligator injuries remain rare, officials said. Still, Florida’s waterways carry real risk, especially in spring and early summer when alligators are more active.
Florida has about 1.3 million alligators, and the reptiles live in all 67 counties. That means residents and visitors cannot treat lakes, rivers, ponds, or marshy shorelines as risk-free zones.
“The FWC places the highest priority on public safety and administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) to address complaints concerning specific alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property,” the agency said.
“People with concerns about an alligator should call FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286),” officials said. “When someone concerned about an alligator calls the Nuisance Alligator Hotline, we will dispatch one of our contracted nuisance alligator trappers to resolve the situation.”
How To Stay Safe Around Alligators
Wildlife officials urged people to stay alert near freshwater areas and avoid getting too close to alligators.
Their safety guidance is direct: “Keep a safe distance” and “keep pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge.”
Pets face special danger near shorelines.
“Pets often resemble alligators’ natural prey,” officials warned. “Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours and without your pet. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn.”
Officials also warned people to never feed the animals.
“never feed an alligator; it’s illegal and dangerous.”
“When fed, alligators can lose their natural wariness and instead learn to associate people with the availability of food,” the agency added. “This can lead to an alligator becoming a nuisance and needing to be removed from the wild.”
