Florida Connectz-Florida woman dies after an alligator attack while canoeing with her husband
A Florida woman was attacked and killed by an alligator that was over 11 feet long while she was out canoeing with her husband in the central part of the state.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officials said they were notified about the incident around 4 p.m. on Tuesday. It happened near the mouth of Tiger Creek into Lake Kissimmee.
Cynthia Diekema, 61, from Davenport and her husband were canoeing in the lake when they rowed over an alligator in about two feet of water.
Officials said the alligator began thrashing and tipped the canoe over. The woman fell out of the boat and landed on top of the animal.
FWC said her husband attempted to save his wife.
Watch: Florida Fish and Wildlife provide an update
Woman canoeing died after gator attack near Lake Kissimmee: FWC
Diekema’s body was later recovered from the water, and she was pronounced dead.
FWC said a nuisance trapper was dispatched to the area and found the alligator. Trappers also found a second 10 to 11-foot alligator in the area.
FWC officials said this is an active time for alligators and strongly encourage the public to keep their distance from the animals.
This story was originally published by Amanda Boettcher with the Scripps News Group in Tampa.
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