A merciful alligator spared a Florida woman after it chomped down on her arm as she swam in a local river.
The 27-year-old woman and her boyfriend were taking their boat out to the South Fork River in Stuart, about 40 miles north of West Palm Beach, on Wednesday.
She was in waist-deep water with the couple’s dog when the 11-foot alligator bit the woman’s hand and wrist, momentarily pulling her under, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.
‘The patient was walking in approximately waist-deep water and at a certain point, the alligator grabbed her by her right arm and hand and dragged her underwater,’ Martin County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Michael McCarthy told WPBF.
Miraculously, the gator decided to release the woman, and her boyfriend was able to take her to the boat ramp at Charlie Leighton Park.
Photos from the scene showed a large presence of first responders in the area, and a helicopter was used to airlift the victim to a hospital.
She sustained broken bones and lacerations, but is expected to survive, reported WPEC.
The sheriff’s office said she was flown to the hospital as a precaution, and her boyfriend and dog were not injured.
An 11-foot alligator bit a Florida woman’s hand and wrist and pulled her underwater before releasing her on Wednesday (pictured: stock image of an alligator)
The 27-year-old woman and her boyfriend were taking their boat out to the South Fork River in Stuart, about 40 miles north of West Palm Beach
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to the scene and is working with a trapper to locate the gator.
McCarthy advised residents to be aware of their surroundings while out in the water and use caution.
‘We just advise always in Florida whenever you’re swimming or you’re in a body of water, always use caution, always assume there is an alligator in the area, it is Florida,’ McCarthy said.
‘Be careful of the type of water that you’re swimming in, along with the, I guess, clarity of the water that you’re swimming in, and also beware of what type of season it is for alligators, whether it’s nesting season or not.’
Residents on social media had mixed reactions to the news that a trapper was looking for the gator, with some defending the beast.
First of all, anyone who goes into waist-deep water anywhere in any body of water in South Florida, except the beach, has a chance of being attacked by a gator. It’s their territory first,’ one person said.
‘Dogs are a gator magnet… It’s their home, if people want to go there, don’t kill a gator,’ said another.
A third person added, ‘Wait, but why are we trapping an alligator who was just chillin in his home?’
Miraculously, the gator decided to release the woman, and her boyfriend was able to take her to the boat ramp at Charlie Leighton Park
She sustained some broken bones and lacerations, and was flown to a local hospital (pictured), but is expected to recover
Martin County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Michael McCarthy (pictured) advised residents to use caution while out on the water
Many people questioned why the couple got into the water, but wished the woman a quick recovery.
‘The swamp puppy just wanted to cuddle. On a positive note, hopefully she is okay,’ one person said.
‘Why bring the dog into the water?! Glad both people and the dog are safe, but that could have gone south real quick,’ said another.