Brittany Clark, 31, from Orlando, was killed by an alligator while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River at Little Big Econ State Forest, approximately 25 miles from the city. Her boyfriend, Chance Allison, made a desperate 911 call reporting that both her arms were dislocated or torn off.
Attack Details
According to a medical examiner's report obtained by the Daily Mail, the couple stopped to swim in about 3 feet of water when the alligator grabbed Clark by the arm and began a "death roll." Allison grabbed the alligator, trying to free her, but the reptile took them both underwater. Allison briefly freed one arm, but the alligator seized the other. He managed to bring Clark to shore and started CPR while calling 911.
Official Statements
Chad Weber, spokesperson for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), confirmed that the pair were hiking and paused for a swim. "It doesn't seem they were doing anything malicious. They were in approximately 3ft of water," Weber said. "She was bitten on both of her arms. The boyfriend was the one that made the phone call. He was trying to get her from the alligator's mouth, and on the way to the hospital she did pass away from her injuries."
Alligator Capture and Data
Officials captured and euthanized two alligators—one 12 feet and another 13 feet—from the waterway for DNA analysis. Weber expressed condolences to the family. According to FWC data, Florida averages about eight unprovoked alligator attacks per year, with only 26 fatal incidents since 1948. The state is home to an estimated 1.3 million alligators.
