Swimmer dies after being ripped limb-from-limb by alligator in blood-curdling attack in front of friends

A 31-year-old woman died on Sunday after an alligator tore off both her arms during a swim with friends in Florida.

Horror struck in the Econlockhatchee River, marking the latest in a series of gator incidents that have prompted urgent warnings from wildlife officials.

A frantic 911 caller pleaded for help as the victim lay gravely wounded.

"Bad, real bad please, hurry... she's losing a lot of... please hurry... " the caller said, according to emergency recordings obtained by local media on Monday.

"Someone got bit by a gator..."

The woman had been swimming near the Barr Street Trailhead in Little Big Econ State Forest when the attack happened.

She was rushed to hospital - but later succumbed to her injuries.

"The FWC (Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) extends its deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of the victim during this difficult time," FWC press secretary Ashlee Brahier Sklute said.

Officers from the FWC, Seminole County Sheriff's Office and a contracted trapper were dispatched to the river.

"Multiple agencies and a contracted nuisance alligator trapper have responded to the scene," Sklute said. "Trapping efforts are ongoing."

The deadly encounter was the second gator attack within 24 hours in the area.

It was also the third such incident reported in Central Florida over the past week, according to FWC officials.

Florida's FWC issued alerts on Monday urging residents to report alligators that have learned to link humans with food.

Just one day earlier, a child suffered a bite to the hand from a gator while fishing at Nelson Fish Camp near Umatilla in Marion County.

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The youngster received hospital treatment, and an FWC officer subsequently captured and killed an eight-foot-long alligator.

A week prior, a snorkeller was attacked by a gator in the Rainbow River, also in Marion County.

Officials temporarily shut the waterway while searching for the animal.

An eight-foot alligator was later removed, and the snorkeller was discharged from hospital.

The FWC says serious alligator injuries are uncommon despite the recent spate of attacks.

However, the agency cautions that the massive reptiles are particularly active during their spring and early summer mating season.

Florida is home to around 1.3 million alligators spread across all 67 of its counties.

The FWC operates the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Programme to handle complaints about threatening reptiles.

Locals concerned about a gator can ring the Nuisance Alligator Hotline on 866-FWC-GATOR.

Safety advice includes maintaining distance from the animals, keeping dogs on leads near water, swimming in designated areas during daylight hours - and not feeding the beasts.

Feeding alligators is both illegal and dangerous, as it teaches them to associate humans with food.

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