Alligator Attack In Florida: Elderly Woman Killed After Falling Into Pond In Sarasota County

An elderly Florida woman died after falling into a pond near her home where two alligators attacked her, according to ​​Sarasota County officials.

The incident occurred on Friday around 7:47 p.m. ET at the Boca Royale Golf and Country Club in Englewood. The woman was seen falling into a pond “and struggled to stay afloat.”

“While in the water, two alligators were observed near the victim and ultimately grabbed her while in the water,” the sheriff’s office stated.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene and has yet to be identified by authorities.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission revealed one of the alligators was 8 feet and 10 inches, and the other was 7 feet and 7 inches. Both alligators were removed from the pond as part of the investigation.

“The FWC and Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office will be working jointly on this investigation until cause of death is determined by the Sarasota County Medical Examiner’s Office,” the agency said in a statement.

The Boca Royale Golf and Country Club sits on 1,000 acres and is located in a private gated community that features nature preserves and lakes.

Despite widespread news coverage when attacks occur, alligator bites don’t happen often, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

In 2021, the commission reported there have been eight unprovoked alligator attacks that resulted in the victim seeking serious medical attention over the last 10 years. Between 1948 and 2021 in Florida, 26 people have been killed from alligator bites.

“The likelihood of a Florida resident being seriously injured during an unprovoked alligator incident in Florida is roughly only one in 3.1 million,” the commission stated.