A woman has died following a severe alligator attack in central Florida's Little Big Econ State Forest. The 31-year-old victim was with her boyfriend and a friend when the incident occurred on June 30, 2026, as they cooled off in the Econlockhatchee River.
The attack unfolded around 1:30 p.m. near the Barr Street Trailhead. The boyfriend reported to emergency services that an alligator had attacked the woman, ripping off both her arms. In a 911 call, he could be heard trying to help his girlfriend and describing the situation as "bad, real bad" while urging for immediate assistance.
He told dispatchers that he and the victim's friend dragged her from the water after the alligator eventually released its grip. The woman was transported to a hospital but succumbed to her injuries en route. The area where the attack occurred is now closed.
Officials responding to the scene later located two alligators, measuring 12 and 13 feet in length. Both animals were taken for DNA testing to determine which one was responsible for the attack. The victim, who was from Orlando, was hiking near a popular trail.
This incident marks the third alligator-related event in central Florida within the past week. Previous incidents included an attack at Rainbow River and an injured child in Merriam County. While alligator attacks are considered rare in the United States, the Florida Wildlife Commission notes that alligators can be more territorial during their mating season, which typically runs from April through June.