Florida woman loses arm in alligator attack; boater aids in rescue

A Florida woman lost her arm in an alligator attack on Saturday while swimming in the Silver River near Ocala. The incident occurred when the woman attempted to fend off an approaching alligator with a paddle, but the alligator grabbed her right arm and dragged her underwater. John Gamache, who was nearby on his boat, heard the commotion and quickly approached the scene, scaring the alligator away. Upon reaching the woman, Gamache found her with severe injuries and used rope from his boat to tie off her arm to stop the bleeding while assisting other swimmers to safety. The group was then taken to a nearby boat launch where first responders were waiting. The woman's family reported that she survived the attack, was released from the hospital, and is recovering at home, although she lost her right arm. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation officers later located and removed the alligator involved in the attack, which measured 9 feet 8 inches. This incident follows a recent fatal alligator attack in Florida where another woman lost her arm and later died from her injuries.