Through Brittany’s phone screen—who lay on the cold riverbank, close to death—Jayden’s choked, panicked screams could be heard
Brittany, her boyfriend Chance Allison, and her close friend Jayden Hernandez had been hiking when they decided to step into the shallow, three-foot-deep waters of the river to beat the heat. Moments earlier, Brittany reportedly noticed unusual bubbles rising from the water — a subtle warning that went unnoticed until it was too late. Without warning, a massive 12- to 13-foot alligator ambushed her, latching onto her arm and initiating a violent “death roll” that dragged her underwater.
Chance heroically fought the powerful reptile, desperately trying to pry it off his girlfriend. In the chaos, he was pulled underwater alongside her. Though he managed to briefly free one of her arms, the alligator clamped down on the other. By the time the beast finally released her, both of Brittany’s arms had been catastrophically injured — one completely severed, the other barely hanging by a thread. The group dragged her to the riverbank as Chance and Jayden frantically performed CPR and called 911. Chilling audio from the emergency call captures the panic: voices screaming that “both her arms are off” and one is “gone,” pleading for help to arrive quickly.
As Brittany lay dying on the bank, Jayden used her phone to call her father, Robert Clark, in California. The 57-year-old veteran received the devastating call around 1:30 p.m. Jayden, sounding utterly distraught, struggled to explain the unfolding horror. Robert later shared the pain of that conversation, his voice breaking as he revealed he never got the chance to say a proper goodbye to his beloved daughter. The injuries were too severe, and Brittany passed away from massive blood loss on the way to the hospital.
Brittany was remembered by loved ones as a vibrant, fun-loving spirit who adored the outdoors, dirt biking, wakeboarding, and her dog. An Orlando native originally from California, she was described as caring, selfless, and full of life by her brother and friends. Her boyfriend Chance called her the strongest person he knew and expressed deep regret that he couldn’t do more to save her.
Following the attack, wildlife officials captured and euthanized two large alligators in the area as a safety measure. The trailhead has since been closed. A GoFundMe has been established to help transport Brittany’s remains back to her family in California so they can lay her to rest.
This devastating loss highlights the unpredictable dangers lurking in Florida’s waterways, even in seemingly safe, shallow spots. For Robert Clark and the entire family, the grief is compounded by the suddenness and brutality of the event. Brittany’s story serves as a heartbreaking reminder to respect nature’s power while cherishing every moment with loved ones.
