Florida alligator kills woman in ‘death roll’ as 911 audio released | US | News
Heartbreaking photos show Florida hiker Brittany Clark, 31, mauled by alligator (Image: Facebook)
A woman who died after a tragic alligator attack in central Florida last week has been identified through harrowing 911 recordings and a detailed medical record that reveals her harrowing final moments.
Brittany Clark, 31, was walking through the Little Big Econ State Forest with her boyfriend, Chance Allison, and another friend on Sunday when the group decided to swim in the river shortly after 1:30 p.m. Harrowing 911 audio shows how an alligator brutally attacked Brittany and cut off both of her arms while she was in the water.
The desperate voice reportedly shows Chance calling emergency services as he tries to fight off the creature. Screams and cries could allegedly be heard in the background as she told the 911 dispatcher that she was “still trying to move her arms away from the alligator’s mouth.”
After a few minutes, he informed the officer that “both arms were closed.” Brittany’s friend was heard saying one arm was “hanging by a thread.”
When the officer asked where the other arm was, his friend replied: “It’s gone.”
Chance described the attack on the dispatcher as “bad, really bad” as he pleaded with emergency personnel to “please hurry.”
“He’s losing so much…” he said before his voice trailed off. He told the officer the alligator was eventually “gone” but Brittany suffered “horrible” injuries.
He explained that he and his friend pulled Brittany out of the water. “We’re off the road, outside a small launch area by the river… We need help now!” he urgently told the dispatcher.
Chance desperately tried to fight off the crocodile (Image: Chance Allison/Facebook)
“You may see a helicopter. If you do, try to flag it down if possible,” the dispatcher instructed. Chance’s frantic attempts to save Brittany were also noted in the coroner’s report.
The group was swimming in “shoulder-deep water” in the Econlockhatchee River when the alligator suddenly grabbed Brittany and began a “death roll,” as stated in the report obtained by the Daily Mail.
The “death roll” is a hunting technique that alligators use to subdue their victims. The maneuver involves the reptile rolling onto its back and attempting to drag its prey below the surface to drown it.
Brittany was attacked while swimming during a hike (Image: Facebook)
“Her boyfriend, Chance, grabbed the alligator as it tried to free itself and took them both underwater,” according to the report. Chance managed to force the predator to release Brittany’s arm “for a moment,” but then pinned down her opposite arm.
When the alligator was finally released and her boyfriend initiated CPR on shore and 911 was called, Chance attempted to get them both to shore,” according to report documents, where Brittany tragically died while being transported to the hospital.
Following the fatal incident, wildlife officials took down the crocodile responsible, cut off its head and preserved it as evidence. The Barr Street Trailhead, the popular hiking trail that Brittany visits, has been closed indefinitely.
