An elderly woman was killed by two alligators after falling into a pond near them Florida home trying to stay afloat.
The woman, whose identity has not yet been released, was seen falling into an alligator-infested pond near her home at Boca Royale Golf and Country Club in Englewood around 7:47 p.m. Friday night, according to the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office County.
Investigators say that as the woman tried to stay afloat, two alligators were seen swimming towards her.
Then they grabbed her before she could escape.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene and investigations are ongoing.
Meanwhile, trappers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have removed the alligators from the pond.
But her death is just the latest in a string of alligator attacks across the southern United States.
Investigators say as the woman tried to stay afloat, two alligators (like the one pictured here) were seen swimming towards her and grabbing her before she could escape
In late May, the body of 47-year-old Sean Thomas McGuinness was found with three limbs missing by the lake at John S. Taylor Park in Largo, Florida.
Investigators now believe he had gone into the 53-acre freshwater lake to look for flying discs when he was attacked. The park is home to an 18-hole, five-hole disc golf course adjacent to the lake Miami Herald.
“While the coroner will determine the exact cause of death, it was apparent that McGuinness sustained alligator-related injuries in the lake,” Largo Police said last month, adding, “Detectives believe this happened in the lake a long time ago.” is he was discovered on the morning of May 31st.’
Authorities noted that park officials had reported that “McGuinness was known to visit the park and enter the lake without heeding the posted ‘no swimming’ signs.
“A witness also told detectives that McGuinness was known for selling discs back to people in the park and McGuinness was found just feet from a disc in the water.”
Just weeks later, on June 24, an 11-foot alligator snatched and killed a victim from a pond in South Carolina.
The unidentified victim was near the pond at Myrtle Beach Golf and Yacht Club this morning, and police spokeswoman Mikayla Moskov said when authorities arrived at the scene around 11:45 a.m., “units determined that an alligator had grabbed a neighbor.” and retired to a nearby retention pond.’
He was then removed from the pond and pronounced dead at the scene.
In late May, the body of 47-year-old Sean Thomas McGuinness was found with three limbs missing by the lake at John S. Taylor Park in Largo, Florida
There have also been at least five attacks in the past year in which people survived.
For example, on June 22, Samuel Ray narrated WRAL He was attacked by an alligator while playing tag near a pond.
“It was about a foot from the water,” he said. “And as soon as I put my hand on the ball, I bent down and picked it up – that’s when I saw the alligator’s eye.
“It fell out, and it was so fast, it was like lightning.”
Ray said the alligator managed to get hold of his hand and his shoulder was dislocated. Still, he knew he had to do something – so he punched the alligator until he released it and scrambled to safety.
He ended up suffering a severed nerve and much blood loss, but after three surgeries his hand is still intact.
And just a few days before WCSC A South Carolina man reportedly suffered non-life-threatening injuries while trying to help his dog escape an alligator attack.
The dog also survived the incident and was fine.
Authorities note that unprovoked alligator attacks are rare.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission estimates there are 1.3 million alligators in the state, reports the Miami Herald, but the state averages just “eight unprovoked alligator bites per year.”
