A Florida woman died after a 13-foot alligator attacked her in shallow water, tearing off both arms in a brutal death roll. Despite her boyfriend's heroic efforts, she succumbed to her injuries.
The Attack
On June 28, Brittany Clark, 31, of Orlando, was hiking in Little Big Econ State Forest with her boyfriend Chance Allison and best friend Jayden Hernandez. Around 1:30 p.m., they entered the Econlockhatchee River, where the water was only about three feet deep. A 13-foot alligator stealthily approached and attacked Clark, seizing her arm and performing a death roll.
According to a medical examiner's report, "While they were swimming an alligator grabbed [Clark] by her arm and began the death roll. Her boyfriend Chance grabbed the alligator trying to get it to release her when it took them both underwater."
Desperate Rescue Attempt
Allison managed to free Clark's arm briefly, but the alligator immediately clamped onto her other arm. He eventually pried her from the jaws, but it was too late. In a frantic 911 call, Allison described her injuries: "Bad, real bad please, hurry… she's losing a lot of blood… we need to stop the blood." He added, "One of them is hanging on by a thread, and the other one's off." Hernandez told operators, "One of her arms is completely off and the other one is like attached barely." Clark was transported to a hospital but died en route.
Aftermath and Tributes
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) captured and killed two alligators—a 13-footer at the scene and a 12.5-footer half a mile away. Samples were collected, and the investigation continues. The FWC extended condolences to Clark's family.
Hernandez paid tribute on Facebook, calling Clark "loving and selfless." She described the attack: "There were air bubbles within our little triangle we made with our bodies in the water… It was just a joke… and just a few minutes later my best friend got attacked."
Clark's aunt set up a GoFundMe to repatriate her remains to California. The fundraiser describes Clark as "an amazing person and a fun-loving soul." She was passionate about pets, firearms, and motorcycles. Barr Street Trailhead remains closed indefinitely.
Attacks on humans are rare, but alligators are more territorial during mating season (April–June).
