Brittany Clark, 31, died after an alligator bit her arms while wading in the Econlockhatchee River in Florida. The attack occurred around 1:30 p.m. as Clark, her boyfriend Chance Allison, and her best friend were hiking and entered the river to cool off in three-foot-deep water.
Alligator attack and death roll
According to the medical examiner's report, an alligator grabbed Clark by the arm and began the 'death roll.' Allison grabbed the alligator trying to release her, but it took both of them underwater. The alligator tore off one arm and severely mauled the other.
Allison called 911 and told the operator: 'Both her arms, both her arms, both her arms are off, like, basically.' He added: 'One of them is, like, very hanging on [by a] thread, and the other is… gone.' Harrowing 911 audio captured screaming in the background as Clark's boyfriend and best friend carried her to rescue workers.
Victim remembered as 'amazing'
Clark was pronounced dead before reaching the hospital. Allison said she was 'such an amazing and caring person and didn’t deserve to go out in such a way.' She loved going into the water 'every chance she could,' and they could never have seen this nightmare coming.
Clark's brother, Nick, told local news: 'She was an amazing person; she was nice and helpful with anyone who needed any kind of help.' Clark, from Orlando, enjoyed the outdoors, wakeboarding, and dirt biking in Florida.
Alligator mating season and response
It is currently alligator mating season in Florida, when the creatures are known to be more aggressive. Florida's Fish and Wildlife Commission said two alligators were culled after the attack, and their remains will be tested to determine if they were involved.
