Florida Woman Loses Arm in Alligator Attack; Boater’s Quick Action Saves Her Life

Dina Rae Spann, 58, suffered a severe arm amputation after encountering an alligator Saturday afternoon while swimming in Marion County’s Silver River. The attack occurred as Spann was part of a swimming group, with her son Zach Guerrina later describing how his mother fought to keep the animal’s jaws closed while struggling toward the surface for air. During the encounter, Spann also sustained injuries to her left hand, including the loss of part of her ring finger.

John Gamache, a frequent visitor to the nearby Silver Springs area, was aboard his boat with his father when he heard screams for help. Spotting an alligator charging at full speed toward the swimmers roughly 200 feet away, Gamache immediately navigated his vessel toward the group. Upon arrival, he discovered the alligator had already released Spann, with the approaching boat apparently driving the animal away from the swimmers.

Finding Spann clinging to a paddleboard with catastrophic injuries, Gamache retrieved rope from his boat and fashioned a tourniquet to stem the severe bleeding. “It was a terrible injury, bones poking out, blood everywhere,” Gamache recounted, emphasizing that “the minutes mattered” in such critical situations. After retrieving the other swimmers, Gamache and his father transported the group to a nearby boat launch where emergency responders stood ready.

Despite the gravity of her injuries, Spann maintained composure throughout the ordeal, according to her son. She was transported to a hospital and had returned home by Sunday in stable condition. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s contracted nuisance alligator trapper removed a 9-foot-8-inch alligator on Sunday, after which authorities lifted a temporary closure of the Silver River.

Spann’s family later contacted Gamache to express their gratitude. “They called earlier, and we talked for a while, and it was heartwarming to hear them explain their emotions,” Gamache said, adding that he was relieved the outcome was as positive as possible under the circumstances.