OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – A woman canoeing with her husband on Tuesday afternoon at Lake Kissimmee State Park was attacked and killed by an alligator, according to officials.
The deadly attack happened near the mouth of Tiger Creek into Lake Kissimmee in Polk County, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
In a news conference on Wednesday, FWC said the couple was canoeing in a 14-foot canoe in 2 1/2 feet of water when it passed over a large alligator. The gator then thrashed and tipped the canoe over, causing both occupants to end up in the water.
[Watch video below to hear Florida wildlife officials give update on attack]
Florida wildlife officials said 61-year-old Cindy Diekema of Davenport was sitting in the bow of the canoe at the time of the incident.
“She ended up on top of the alligator in the water and was bitten, her husband attempted to intervene, but was unsuccessful,” said FWC Southwest Regional Commander Major Evan Laskowski.
[Watch video below to hear Florida wildlife officials describe incident]
Upon responding to the scene Tuesday night, wildlife officials said trappers recovered an 11-foot-4-inch alligator matching the length description of the gator involved in the attack. Trappers on scene Wednesday also recovered a second alligator, approximately 10 to 11 feet in length.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife said it has launched a full investigation into the attack.
“While alligator attacks resulting in fatalities are extremely rare, this tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the powerful wildlife that share our natural spaces,” said Col. Roger Young, executive director of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.
In a news release, Polk County sheriff’s deputies said they received a call just after 4 p.m. about the gator attack.
In radio transmissions from the sheriff’s office, an official said, “Gator grabbed her out of the canoe. (Her husband) tried to fight the gator off. We’re at the last place he saw her. He left the paddle here where he last saw her.”
“The helicopter spotted the victim floating in the water and FWC officers recovered her from the water, where she was pronounced deceased,” an official said.
While serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in Florida, the FWC said that residents with concerns about an alligator should call the agency’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at (866) 392-4286.
Authorities initially said the victim was in a kayak, not a canoe.
On Friday, News 6 received a statement from the family of Cindy Diekema:
“The family of Cindy Diekema has requested respect for their privacy during this time of overwhelming grief at the loss of their much loved and adored wife, mother and grandmother. They are deeply grateful for the support and prayers of many family, friends and the community.”
Statement from family of Cindy Diekema