Woman Killed, Child Injured in Separate Alligator Attacks Across Central Florida

A tragic weekend in Central Florida has left one woman dead and a child injured following two separate alligator attacks, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The incidents occurred less than 24 hours apart and have renewed warnings for residents and visitors to remain vigilant around Florida’s lakes, rivers, ponds, and canals. 

Woman Dies After River Attack

The fatal attack happened Sunday in Seminole County, where a 31-year-old woman was swimming with friends in the Econlockhatchee River near Geneva when she was attacked by an alligator.

Emergency crews rushed her to a hospital as a trauma alert, but she later died from her injuries. FWC officers, local firefighters, and sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene, and a licensed nuisance alligator trapper was dispatched to capture the animal, which remained at large as of Monday morning. 

Child Bitten While Fishing

Just one day earlier, an alligator attacked a juvenile boy while he was fishing from the shoreline at Nelson’s Fish Campin Marion County.

The child suffered a bite to the hand after an approximately 8-foot-7-inch alligator grabbed him. He was transported to hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening. Wildlife officers later captured and euthanized the alligator involved. 

Rare But Serious Incidents

Although Florida is home to an estimated 1.3 million alligators, serious attacks on people remain uncommon. According to FWC, the chance of a Florida resident being seriously injured in an unprovoked alligator attack is approximately 1 in 3.1 million. 

Wildlife officials remind the public to:

• Stay away from the edges of lakes, rivers, ponds, and canals, especially at dawn and dusk.

• Never feed alligators.

• Keep pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge.

• Swim only in designated areas during daylight hours.

Anyone who encounters an alligator that poses a threat to people, pets, or property should contact the FWC’s Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program.

The two incidents mark a sobering reminder that while encounters with alligators are rare, Florida’s native reptiles can pose a serious danger when humans enter or linger near their habitat. 

Florida alligator attack

Alligator attack Florida

Central Florida news

Florida wildlife

FWC

Florida Fish and Wildlife

Seminole County

Marion County

Econlockhatchee River

Geneva Florida

Nelson’s Fish Camp

Alligator safety

Florida outdoors

Florida breaking news

Wildlife news

Florida rivers

Florida lakes

Swimming safety

Fishing safety

Dangerous wildlife

Florida emergency news

Florida headlines

Florida public safety

Nature news

Alligator encounter

Florida environment

Florida news today

Florida incidents

Outdoor safety

Marco Island Naples News