by A 15-year-old girl in Florida is recovering after surviving a terrifying encounter with a 10-foot alligator that dragged her underwater during a swim in Pond Creek. Authorities credit her quick thinking and bravery for saving her life.
According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, the attack occurred on June 22 in Pond Creek, located about 25 miles from Destin, Florida. The victim, Summer Hinote, was swimming with friends when she suddenly felt something brush up against her in the water.
That “something” turned out to be a massive alligator.
“I Just Started Punching It”
Hinote told FOX 35 that the alligator bit her leg and immediately pulled her underwater. In a desperate attempt to survive, she began fighting back.
“I just started punching it in the head as hard as I could,” Hinote said. “And he had let go and then grabbed me again… the second time he let go and grabbed me, he dragged me underneath the water and shook my leg around.”
Despite the violent attack, Hinote continued to resist. At one point, she said the alligator let go—possibly to reposition its grip.
“Whenever he let go, I had started running up. And I had gotten up out of the water,” she recalled.
A friend helped her escape the water, and emergency services were quickly called to the scene.
Severe Injuries, But No Amputation
Though Hinote’s leg sustained severe injuries, officials confirmed that doctors were able to treat the wounds without the need for amputation. She remains in recovery, and her survival is being hailed as a miracle.
Wildlife experts and authorities remind the public that alligators are common in Florida’s freshwater bodies, especially during warmer months when the animals are more active. They encourage swimmers to be cautious and alert in natural water sources.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating the incident and is expected to track and remove the aggressive alligator from the area.
For now, Summer Hinote’s courage is drawing attention—and admiration—for her ability to stay calm and fight back during an encounter that could have turned fatal.
