Home / Disasters and Accidents / Alligator Attack: Child Bitten While Swimming in Florida
Alligator Attack: Child Bitten While Swimming in Florida
9 Sep
Summary
- Child bitten by 9-12 foot alligator while swimming.
- Incident occurred at Weeki Wachee Preserve, Hernando County.
- Rescue team airlifted group from sandbar after attack.
A child sustained puncture wounds to the arm and leg after being attacked by an alligator while swimming in Hernando County, Florida. The incident took place on a Monday afternoon at the Weeki Wachee Preserve. The alligator responsible for the attack was estimated to be between 9 and 12 feet in length.
Following the bite, the injured child and others present were stranded on a sandbar. Hernando County Fire Rescue, along with the sheriff's office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, responded to the scene. A marine unit utilized an airboat to reach the group, safely evacuating them and attending to the victim's injuries.
Experts advise that such encounters can be avoided by adhering to safety guidelines. These include swimming only in designated areas, refraining from feeding alligators, and keeping children and pets away from water edges. A wildlife trapper was deployed to the preserve to set traps for the alligator involved in the attack.
