Florida alligator attack leaves woman without right arm

A woman was hospitalized and lost her right arm following an alligator attack in the Silver River near Ocala, Florida. The incident occurred on a Saturday while the victim was swimming with a group. A bystander, boater John Gamache, intervened by racing his boat toward the swimmers to scare off the animal and used a rope to tie off the victim's arm to stabilize her before first responders arrived.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) located and removed the responsible alligator, which measured approximately 9 feet 8 inches long. While the Silver River was temporarily closed for the search and removal, it has since reopened to the public.

This attack follows a series of recent alligator encounters in central Florida, including a fatal attack in Seminole County in late June and other injuries in Marion County. The FWC continues to advise the public to swim only in designated areas during daylight hours and to maintain a safe distance from alligators.