Boater scared off alligator, then used rope to stop bleeding after Florida woman lost arm

The woman who lost her right arm in a vicious alligator attack in Florida on Saturday has been identified as Dina Rae Spann.

"It had her, but she said she was trying to make sure it didn't get to her legs," he said. 

Spann also suffered an injury to her left hand during the struggle, losing part of her ring finger, Guerrina said. Her right arm was ultimately amputated below the elbow.

Gamache quickly headed toward the group in his boat. 

He found Spann holding onto a paddleboard with a severe arm injury. He took rope from his boat and used it as a makeshift tourniquet to help control the bleeding.

"It was a terrible injury, bones poking out, blood everywhere," Gamache said. "Obviously, the minutes mattered."

After helping the other swimmers onto the boat, Gamache and his father took the group to a nearby boat launch, where first responders were waiting.

Spann was transported to a hospital following the attack. 

By Sunday, her family said she was back home and in good spirits despite losing her right arm, according to FOX 35 Orlando.

A contracted nuisance alligator trapper removed a 9-foot-8-inch alligator on Sunday, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Officials later lifted the temporary closure of the river.

The attack was unlike anything Gamache had witnessed there before, he said.

"They called earlier, and we talked for a while, and it was heartwarming to hear them explain their emotions," Gamache said.

"We're glad that it happened as good as it could have," he added. 

"The result is just the sustained injury and nothing more."