The horrifying extent of a fatal alligator attack has been revealed after newly released autopsy findings showed a young woman’s arms were almost torn from her body as she fought for her life.
Newly released medical records have exposed the devastating injuries suffered by 31-year-old Brittany Clark, who died after she was attacked by a nearly four-metre alligator while cooling off in a river at Florida’s Little Big Econ State Forest on June 28.
The autopsy, carried out the following morning by Associate Medical Examiner Jenaye L Mack, concluded Ms Clark died from “multiple blunt force injuries of the upper extremities”, with her death ruled an accident.
According to the report, Ms Clark suffered a “near complete traumatic amputation of the left arm at the shoulder and near complete traumatic amputation of the right distal forearm” during the attack.
The examination also found bite marks on her left clavicle, left shoulder blade and left arm, highlighting the extraordinary force of the alligator’s grip.
Authorities later confirmed through DNA testing that a nearby alligator trapped and euthanised by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was responsible for the fatal attack.
Ms Clark had been visiting the popular swimming spot with her boyfriend, Chance Allison, and roommate Jayden Hernandez when the reptile struck without warning.
Mr Allison said the alligator emerged “out of absolutely nowhere” before latching onto Ms Clark as the pair stood in the shallow water.
“We were smiling and talking and then it was complete chaos,” Mr Allison said.
He desperately tried to pull Ms Clark free from the animal’s jaws before emergency crews arrived.
Despite suffering catastrophic injuries, Mr Allison said Ms Clark spent some of her final moments thinking about her beloved German Shepherd, Hokie, who had joined the hiking trip alongside the couple’s other dog.
“While we were waiting for emergency services to arrive, Brittany just told me to make sure I took care of Hokie,” he told The New York Post.
“It was one of the last things she said to me.”
Ms Clark was rushed to hospital but could not be saved.
Her roommate later revealed the group had even joked moments earlier about the possibility of an alligator lurking beneath the murky water before the attack unfolded.
Her father, Robert Clark, said he received the devastating phone call while those at the scene desperately fought to keep his daughter alive.
“They were trying to keep her alive and waiting for the authorities to show up,” the US Navy veteran said.
The tragedy shocked Florida residents and renewed warnings from wildlife officials about the dangers of entering waterways known to be inhabited by alligators, particularly during the animals’ active summer breeding season.
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