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Florida Alligator Attack: Canoer Killed by 11-Foot Reptile
11 Jan
Summary
- An 11-foot alligator fatally attacked a 61-year-old woman near Lake Kissimmee.
- The canoe overturned after the alligator was startled, submerging the pair.
- The alligator performed a 'death roll' maneuver, dragging the victim underwater.
A tragic encounter with an 11-foot alligator resulted in the death of a 61-year-old canoer near Florida's Lake Kissimmee. Cynthia Diekema was on a canoe trip with her husband when their vessel overturned after startling the large reptile. The alligator then attacked Diekema, pulling her underwater with a "death roll" maneuver.
Wildlife officials were alerted, and the alligator responsible for the attack was subsequently found and euthanized. Although Diekema's remains were recovered, her right arm was never found. This incident highlights the rarity of serious, unprovoked alligator bites on humans in the state.
Between 1984 and 2022, Florida recorded 339 major alligator bites, leading to 27 fatalities. State officials advise maintaining a safe distance from alligators, keeping pets leashed, and swimming only in designated areas during daylight hours.
