The boyfriend of a Florida hiker killed by a 13-foot alligator recounted his desperate attempts to save her, describing the incident as "horrific."
Chance Allison, 31, expressed his disbelief and grief in a Facebook post Wednesday, remembering Brittany Clark, who died Sunday after being attacked while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River at Little Big Econ State Forest in Seminole County.
"I’m just still in disbelief of what took place. We had so many things planned out and memories to be made," Allison wrote. "You were such a special person and did not deserve to go out in such a way."
Allison, Clark, and her roommate, Jayden Hernandez, were swimming in about three feet of water when the alligator attacked. Allison stated he fought to wrench Clark from the alligator's jaws. Authorities confirmed that a 13-foot alligator found at the scene, and another 12.5-foot alligator found nearby, were captured and killed. Samples have been collected from the alligators as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) continues its investigation.
Clark, a bulldozer operator from Orlando, died from "multiple blunt force injuries of the upper extremities," according to a medical examiner's report. Audio from a 911 call obtained by The Post captured a witness describing Clark's injuries as "horrible," with one arm reportedly detached and the other barely attached.
The FWC stated that Clark did not appear to have provoked the alligator. Allison also said he would take care of the couple's pets, Shady and Hokie, and is organizing a "celebration of life" in Clark's honor. He thanked friends and others for their messages of support, which he said have helped him cope with his grief.