Alligator Attack Leaves Florida Woman In Critical Condition

In yet another case of an alligator attack in Florida, a middle-aged woman from the state has been hospitalized after an alligator nearly bit her hand off following an attack in the Everglades.

According to ABC News the alligator attack happened on Friday at Willard’s Fish Camp, located west of Fort Lauderdale in Broward County. Following the attack, the woman, whose identity was not initially revealed, was admitted to a trauma center where she is listed to be in critical condition. According to authorities, the woman was transported via helicopter to North Broward Medical Center’s trauma center in Deerfield Beach, where she underwent emergency surgery.

CBSNews: Alligator nearly takes woman’s hand off in Florida attack, authorities say https://t.co/ETnI75clp2 pic.twitter.com/2qsubPDLfw

— SwarTz Mooha (@CyberAnonymous) August 13, 2016

Preliminary reports say that the woman is a 49-year-old resident and that she was a resident of Osceola County. The incident has been confirmed by Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue spokesman Mike Jachles, who detailed how the incident happened. Initial reports stated that the woman was attacked by the alligator after she accidentally dropped a can into the water and then made an attempt to retrieve it. Hours after the incident, the identity of the alligator attack victim was confirmed. She was identified as Anne Sexton.

“This woman apparently dropped a can into the water. She was standing on the dock. She dropped a can in the water. And as she reached in to retrieve it, that’s when she was bit by the alligator.”

Jachles went on to add that the alligator remained near the dock after the attack and that the reptile was between four and five feet in length. Jachles also said that the woman’s hand was badly injured and that it was nearly amputated.

“The hand was still attached though it was a very severe, almost full amputation of the hand.”

Anne Sexton reportedly lost lot of blood and subsequently lost consciousness. Her condition as of Saturday morning remains unclear.

This latest alligator attack comes less than a month after another woman “in her 40’s” was attacked by a gator on July 8. In this incident too, the alligator nearly ripped the arm from her body. The alligator in this incident was much larger in size – estimated to be over 11 foot long. The woman’s injuries were however, not life-threatening. Following that incident, Fish and Wildlife officers responding to the incident and shot and killed a large alligator found nearby. They were, however, not sure if the alligator they shot was the one that attacked the woman.

Florida woman, 49, in critical condition after alligator attack in Everglades https://t.co/URyZSx8s9R pic.twitter.com/WUKkxTgjgJ

— ABC News (@ABC) August 13, 2016

The most famous alligator attack incident in recent history was the Disney alligator attack that claimed the life of 2-year-old Lane Graves. This incident happened when little Graves was wading in the shallow waters on the beach area at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. An alligator in the vicinity soon came up onto the sand and grabbed the little boy. Even after frantic efforts by the boy’s father to save him, the alligator dragged the child into the water.

As for the latest incident involving Anne Sexton, officials from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have launched a preliminary investigation into the alligator attack. They have also talked to two witnesses who were nearby when the attack happened and attempted to save the woman. The witnesses told officials that they grabbed Sexton by her legs to keep her from being pulled into the water. They were able to eventually free her hand from the alligator’s mouth.

Jachles also added that Sexton regained her consciousness and was in a semi-conscious state when she was transported to the hospital.

[Image Via Pixabay]