LAKE KISSIMMEE, FL – In a tragic incident on Lake Kissimmee, a woman was fatally attacked by an alligator late this afternoon. The assault occurred near the mouth of Tiger Creek while she was on the water with a male companion.
Emergency services swiftly responded to the distress call. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office dispatched a helicopter, while Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers took to the lake in boats. The helicopter discovered the woman’s body floating in the water, and FWC officers subsequently retrieved her. Sadly, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Details remain scarce regarding the circumstances of the attack. Authorities have not released the identities of the couple involved, and the reasons behind the attack are still under investigation. The FWC, in collaboration with biologists, will examine the incident’s contributing factors, and the medical examiner will determine the official cause of death.
As the investigation unfolds, the search for the alligator responsible continues. Gunshots were reportedly heard in the vicinity, possibly linked to efforts to locate and capture the reptile. Statewide nuisance alligator trappers have been deployed to assist in the search, a procedure reminiscent of a previous incident in March when a kayaker was bitten in the same area.
Once apprehended, the alligator will be sent to the FWC for examination to determine if any human remains or clothing are present in its stomach. This analysis will form an integral part of the ongoing investigation.
The tragic occurrence has heightened concerns about alligator encounters in the region, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and safety measures around Florida’s waterways.