Chance Ellison fought desperately to save his girlfriend Brittany Clark, 31, from a 12-foot alligator that executed a 'death roll' and severed both her arms in a Florida forest. Despite his heroic efforts, she died from her injuries. Ellison's one regret, according to her father Robert Clark, is that he felt he could not do enough.
Attack in Little Big Econ State Forest
Brittany was hiking in Little Big Econ State Forest with Ellison and friend Jayden Hernandez when the alligator attacked in about three feet of water. Hernandez had noticed air bubbles in the water and joked about a 'sneaky gator' moments before the attack. The alligator dragged Brittany underwater in a death roll, a lethal maneuver where alligators spin violently to overpower prey before drowning them.
Ellison wrestled the alligator and, with Hernandez, pulled Brittany from the water. Hernandez used Brittany's phone to call her father, Robert Clark, 57, at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. 'She was having a hard time telling us what was going on,' Hernandez said.
Father Praises 'Hero' Boyfriend
Robert Clark called Ellison a 'hero' for his brave attempts. 'He reacted and did everything he could. I know he had a lot of regret because he felt like he couldn't... do enough,' Clark told the Daily Mail. He added that he never got the chance to say goodbye due to the catastrophic injuries.
Despite losing both arms, Brittany remained conscious and directed Ellison and Hernandez on what to do. Hernandez described the 12-minute wait for emergency services as 'eternity,' but said Brittany was 'the strongest person in the world.'
Couple Planned Future Together
Clark revealed that Brittany and Ellison had been dating for about a year and were 'tremendously in love,' discussing marriage and children. They were about to move in together, and Brittany planned to bring Ellison to meet her relatives in California. 'Every time my daughter called home, she was like, 'This is the one, this is the man. This is the one that I want to grow old with and have children with,'' Robert said.
Brittany is survived by her parents, Robert and Lynn, brother Nathan, 35, and sister Tiffany, 29. Her father described her as 'very fun and caring,' loving animals, wildlife, motorcycles, hiking, and the outdoors.
