A woman died after being bitten by an alligator while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River near the Barr Street Trailhead in the Little Big Econ State Forest on Sunday afternoon, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.The woman was swimming with friends in the river around 1:30 p.m. when she was bitten by an alligator, resulting in serious injuries, the FWC said. She was transported to a hospital as a trauma alert, where she later died from her injuries.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. The agency hasn’t said yet whether its trapping efforts were successful. News of the attack came as a shock to hikers who frequent the area.”I’ve seen really big gators in here. I’ve never heard of an attack, though,” said Leia Vieira.Nancy Palmer, who hikes the area about once every other week with her husband Rodney, said those who come to the trailhead often are familiar with a large alligator in the water.”There’s a place where a female gator hangs out to lay her eggs … and most people that come out here very often know that she could be there, and so keep your eyes open and don’t get in the water,” Palmer said. Several signs near the trailhead entrance warn visitors of alligators in the area. 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.
A woman died after being bitten by an alligator while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River near the Barr Street Trailhead in the Little Big Econ State Forest on Sunday afternoon, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The woman was swimming with friends in the river around 1:30 p.m. when she was bitten by an alligator, resulting in serious injuries, the FWC said. She was transported to a hospital as a trauma alert, where she later died from her injuries.
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. The agency hasn’t said yet whether its trapping efforts were successful.
News of the attack came as a shock to hikers who frequent the area.
“I’ve seen really big gators in here. I’ve never heard of an attack, though,” said Leia Vieira.
Nancy Palmer, who hikes the area about once every other week with her husband Rodney, said those who come to the trailhead often are familiar with a large alligator in the water.
“There’s a place where a female gator hangs out to lay her eggs … and most people that come out here very often know that she could be there, and so keep your eyes open and don’t get in the water,” Palmer said.
Several signs near the trailhead entrance warn visitors of alligators in the area.
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.
