Alligator Attack Victim Identified as 58-Year-Old Mom as Fatal Mistake Comes to Light

A Florida mother who loved the outdoors was severely injured by an alligator after entering a river where swimming is prohibited.

Dina Rae Spann, 58, was in the clear waters of the Silver River in Marion County on Saturday when she was attacked by a 9ft 8in alligator.

The animal tore off her right arm, bit off one of the fingers on her left hand and pulled Spann beneath the surface.

Spann fought for her life using a paddle she had in her hand, and a nearby bystander helped save her as blood spread through the river’s famously clear water.

Swimming has long been banned in the area, although boating and kayaking are allowed. It remains unclear why Spann entered the water despite the posted “no swimming” warning.

She was taken to hospital with horrific injuries, including bones protruding through her skin. Doctors were able to save her life, but she is expected to face a lengthy recovery.

Spann’s son, Zachary, told Our News Outlet that he was troubled by reports of out-of-state visitors feeding alligators in the river, which he believes may have encouraged the animal to approach his mother on August 8.

“It absolutely causes them to approach, when they feel like there is no threat,” he said. “I’ve never seen anything like that.”

‘I grew up camping the Oklawaha with my mom and my dad since I was a kid. We spend almost every other weekend on the water. Alligators are normally timid and scared of humans.

‘She lost her right arm and one finger on the left, but she’s strong. She’s good. She’s making jokes she’s just herself.’ 

Another family member revealed that Spann is still in hospital recovering from the traumatic injury, but she is in a stable condition. 

Prayers poured in for the recovering mother on social media, with many expressing their shock and offering support.

Good Samaritan John Gamache and his father were eating lunch on their boat nearby when they heard the fiasco unfold.

Gamache was able to spot the approaching alligator in the crystal-clear spring water, and sped his boat toward the group. 

‘I looked just upriver from us a couple hundred feet and saw an alligator head way above the water and going full speed towards the swimmers,’ Gamache said.

By the time he reached her, the alligator had let go, while the sound of the boat sent the predator fleeing. 

The injured woman was clinging to a paddleboard when the boaters arrived.

Seeing the severity of her injuries, Gamache sprang into action, using a rope to fashion a tourniquet and stem the bleeding from her mangled arm.

‘It was a terrible injury, bones poking out, blood everywhere. Obviously, the minutes mattered,’ Gamache told FOX35.

The boaters pulled the remaining swimmers aboard and raced to shore, where first responders met them and rushed the injured woman to the hospital.

An alligator trapper was called to the scene to track down the reptile, which was located later that day, officials said.

Gamache said the victim’s family was deeply grateful for his heroic efforts and thanked him over the phone.

‘They called earlier and we talked for a while and it was heartwarming to hear them explain their emotions,’ Gamache told the outlet.

‘We’re glad that it happened as good as it could have. Like the result is just the sustained injury and nothing more,’ he added.

Following the attack, Marion County officials temporarily closed Silver River while a trapper worked to capture the alligator. The river reopened to the public Sunday.