Brittany Clark, 31, died after being attacked by an alligator while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River in Florida. She was hiking with her boyfriend and best friend when they waded into the water to cool off.
Attack details
The group was wading in three-foot-deep water when an alligator grabbed Clark's arm and began a death roll, tearing off one arm and severely mauling the other. Her boyfriend, Chance Allison, called 911 at around 1:30 p.m., telling 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.'
911 audio and rescue
Harrowing 911 audio captured screaming in the background as Allison and Clark's best friend carried her to rescue workers. Clark was pronounced dead before she could reach the hospital.
Remembering the victim
Allison described Clark as 'such an amazing and caring person and didn’t deserve to go out in such a way.' He noted that she loved going into the water 'every chance she could' and that they never saw the attack 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 wakeboarding and dirtbiking.
Alligator mating season
The attack occurred during alligator mating season in Florida, when the creatures are known to be more aggressive. The medical examiner's report stated: 'While they were swimming, an alligator grabbed [Brittany] 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.'
Aftermath
Florida's Fish and Wildlife Commission confirmed that two alligators were culled after the attack. Their remains will be tested to determine if they were responsible.
