The Florida wildlife commission, Polk County Fire Rescue and Polk County Sheriffs Office are currently on scene of an alligator attack on a canal off Tiger Lake. Details are still coming in, but it appears that the incident occurred at 1:22 PM today.
As of this time we believe there’s two victims. One person, believed to be female, is a trauma alert with severe injuries and a second person has injuries, but it’s not listed as trauma alert.
*Editors Note: Initial reports were that a man and a woman were bitten. However only one person was treated. The FWC could not confirm two people bitten. So we are updating the information. Additionally the FWC listed the attack occurring at Tiger Creek Preserves. This appears to be in error on their part, but we are getting clarification.
Emergency units are utilizing boats and airboats to gain access to the injured victims. As of a few minutes ago they have reached the victims and are preparing to bring them back to land.
This is a developing story and we will update as information is received.
Here is an update to this original story, but some items are being clarified as FWC may be incorrect in the location:
New Details on the Incident Involving a Victim Airlifted with injuries from Alligator Bite in Tiger Creek Preserve; statement from FWC: