Woman attacked by alligator while kayaking in Florida flown to hospital

A woman was hospitalized Monday after being bitten by an alligator while paddling at a nature preserve in Polk County, officials say.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to a report Monday that a woman was bitten on the elbow by an alligator while paddling at the Tiger Creek Preserve in Babson Park, according to a spokesperson from the agency.

The FWC and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the scene and the woman was taken to the hospital.

The spokesperson said a trapper has been sent to remove the alligator from the location.

A spokesperson from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, which is assisting FWC, said the injured individual was airlifted to the Osceola Regional Medical Center. The Sheriff’s Office said the individual was part of a group of 20 kayakers and that another member of the group had the life jacket ripped off.