Bodycam footage has captured a Florida deputy’s heroic effort to rescue a woman who tragically lost her life in an alligator attack. The victim, identified as 31-year-old Brittany Clark from Orlando, was mauled by an alligator in the Econlockhatchee River at Little Big Econ State Forest, approximately 25 miles northeast of the city, on Sunday.
In the distressing video released by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, the deputy is seen rushing through a wooded area to reach the riverbank where the injured woman was lying under shelter. The deputy is shown applying a tourniquet to her wounds before the footage concludes.
Brittany’s boyfriend, Chance Allison, described the severity of the situation in a 911 call, stating that both her arms were dislocated, with one completely severed. Allison’s desperate cries for help and efforts to free her from the alligator’s grasp were evident in the background.
A friend of Clark, also present during the attack, confirmed the severity of the injuries, stating that both of Brittany’s arms were essentially severed. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s spokesperson, Chad Weber, explained that the incident occurred while the group was in shallow water and appeared to be a non-malicious encounter.
Following the attack, two alligators measuring 12ft and 13ft were captured from the river, euthanized, and sent for DNA testing. Allison expressed his sorrow over the tragic loss of Brittany, emphasizing her remarkable personality and character.
Florida Wildlife officials reported an average of eight unprovoked alligator bites annually, with just 26 fatal attacks in the state since 1948, where an estimated 1.3 million alligators reside.
