Brittany Clark, a 31-year-old woman from Orlando, died on Sunday after being attacked by an alligator while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River in central Florida’s Little Big Econ State Forest. She had been wading in roughly three feet of water with her boyfriend, Chance Allison, and a friend when the reptile lunged, according to local authorities.

A medical examiner’s report, cited by US media, states that the alligator seized Ms Clark by the arm and began a “death roll” — a spinning manoeuvre used to drown prey. Mr Allison grabbed the animal and was dragged underwater as he tried to free her. He managed to prise her from its jaws, but the alligator then bit her other arm. Emergency call recordings, obtained by multiple outlets, capture Mr Allison telling a dispatcher that one arm was “hanging by a thread” and the other was gone. He pulled her to shore and administered resuscitation until paramedics arrived, but she succumbed to her injuries at the scene.

State wildlife officials later captured and killed two alligators in the area: one measuring approximately four metres (13 feet) and another, found half a mile away, of about 3.8 metres. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said samples were taken from both animals and an investigation remains active. The Barr Street Trailhead, a popular hiking route, has been closed indefinitely. The attack was the third alligator incident recorded in central Florida within a single week, the commission noted.

Friends and family described Ms Clark as an adventurous and selfless person who loved the outdoors. In a social media post, a friend who was present during the attack said the group had joked about a possible alligator moments before it struck. Her brother told local television that she was “an amazing person” who was always willing to help others.