Florida wildlife officials have confirmed that a 31-year-old woman, Brittany Clark, died on June 28 after being attacked by a 13-foot alligator in the Little Big Econ State Forest. The incident occurred while Clark was hiking with her boyfriend, Chance Allison, friends, and dogs. The group had stopped to swim in the Econlockhatchee River.
Clark was standing in approximately three feet of water when the alligator attacked, grabbing her arm and initiating a "death roll," a behavior where the reptile violently spins with its prey. Allison attempted to intervene, entering the water to free Clark, but was also pulled in. The alligator briefly released Clark before biting her other arm. Allison and Clark's friend managed to pull her to shore.
First responders detected a faint pulse, and Clark was transported to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 2:48 p.m. The medical examiner's report indicated severe injuries to both of her arms, including a partially severed left arm and an open fracture on her right arm, consistent with the alligator's "death roll."
Authorities captured two alligators near the attack site, measuring 12.5 and 13 feet. DNA testing confirmed the larger alligator was responsible for Clark's death, and bite marks on her arm were consistent with its teeth. Officials noted that alligator mating season, which runs from April to June, can sometimes lead to increased territorial behavior.
Clark's death was the third reported alligator fatality in Florida within a seven-day period. Alligator attack fatalities are rare, with Florida recording two such deaths in 2023 and fewer in previous years. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) advises the public to swim only in designated areas, keep pets away from water, and maintain a safe distance from alligators, refraining from feeding or handling them.