Husband Tried To Fight Off Gator That Killed Wife In Central FL: Reports

LAKE KISSIMMEE, FL — A man canoeing with his wife Tuesday afternoon at Tiger Creek in Central Florida tried to save her from a large alligator, which ultimately killed her, media reports say.

The fatal attack happened when the couple's 14-foot craft floated over the alligator at Tiger Creek near Lake Kissimmee in Polk County, both CBS News and ABC News reported.

The vessel overturned when the alligator tipped it, and the pair landed in the water, CBS News reported, citing Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Major Evan Laskowski.

"She ended up on top of the alligator in the water and was bitten," he said, per CBS News. "Her husband attempted to intervene but was unsuccessful."

The woman was identified in reports as 61-year-old Davenport resident Cynthia Diekema.

Since then, two alligators about 11-feet long were recovered between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, ABC News reported. It was unclear if either alligator was involved in Diekema's death.

Alligators live in all of Florida's 67 counties, according to wildlife officials on their website. Florida's rise in inhabited waterfront homes and water-related activities increases the chance of human-alligator interactions, they added.

Residents should keep their distance and not feed alligators, while pets should be on a leash and not near water, wildlife officials said.

Swimmers should solely swim in designated areas during daylight, the commission said.