10-foot alligator attacks Florida paddleboarder, tears off her arm
A Florida paddleboarder survived a terrifying alligator attack after a nearly 10-foot reptile grabbed her arm and dragged her underwater in the Silver River. The woman suffered a devastating injury, but quick-thinking boater John Gamache scared the alligator away and used a rope to control her bleeding before rescuers rushed her to hospital for treatment.
A Florida woman narrowly escaped a terrifying ordeal when a nearly 10-foot alligator attacked her while she was paddleboarding in the Silver River. The woman, who was accompanied by her family, was suddenly grabbed around the arm by the reptile and pulled underwater. She attempted to fend off the alligator using her paddle, but the creature continued its attack.
John Gamache, a boater nearby, heard the woman's family screaming for help and quickly headed towards them. Upon seeing an alligator head above the water, Gamache's boat sounded and movement caused the alligator to retreat. However, the woman had suffered a severe arm injury, with bones protruding and heavy bleeding. Gamache used a rope from his boat to control the bleeding while his father assisted in safely removing other swimmers and children from the water.
The injured woman was later taken to a nearby hospital where she was discharged and recovering at home. Her family thanked Gamache for his quick actions, expressing gratitude that the outcome was as positive as it could be. The Silver River was temporarily closed after the attack while a trapper removed the alligator, which measured approximately 9 feet 8 inches.
The river was reopened to the public on Sunday. This incident comes amid a series of serious alligator attacks in Florida and surrounding areas, including the recent fatal attack on Brittany Clark and the grievous injury to 11-year-old Brodie Terry.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
