SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla, – A day on the water ended in tragedy after an alligator attack in Seminole County—one of two gator attacks reported in Central Florida this weekend.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said a 31-year-old woman was bitten while swimming with a group of friends Saturday afternoon in the Econlockhatchee River near Geneva, off Barr Street. She was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries and later died.
“It’s hard to hear somebody passed away out here in such a beautiful place,” a visitor at the river said.
Witness Kelvin Forde said law enforcement flooded the area after the incident.
“There’s literally cops all over the area, literally corralled right in that corner,” Forde said.
People who hike nearby said the river is known to have alligators, similar to many waterways across Central Florida.
“I would avoid swimming in the river. You don’t know what’s in the water,” said local hiker Neil Padriga.
The Seminole County incident is the second gator attack in Central Florida in less than 48 hours, according to FWC.
FWC said the other attack happened Saturday at Nelson’s Fish Camp in Umatilla, where a child was bitten on the hand by an 8-foot, 7-inch alligator. An FWC trapper later removed and killed the animal.
The attacks also come a week after a snorkeler was bitten while swimming at Rainbow Springs State Park in Marion County by another 8-foot alligator.
Kevin Brotz, a licensed gator hunting guide for nearly two decades, said people should stay alert near the water’s edge.
“Stay a few feet off the water’s edge. It’s tempting to walk close to see the minnows and all that stuff. That’s where bad things can happen,” Brotz said.
FWC said serious injuries caused by alligators are rare. Anyone who encounters a nuisance alligator or has concerns can contact the agency.