An elderly woman in South Carolina was killed by an alligator Tuesday morning, police say.
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office said the 69-year-old woman was found unresponsive near the edge of a lagoon in the Spanish Wells community of Hilton Head Island at around 9:30 a.m.
“Rescue efforts were made and an alligator appeared and was guarding the woman, interrupting emergency efforts,” the sheriff’s office explained.
“The gator was safely removed from the area and the woman’s body was recovered.”
Major Angela Viens, a sheriff’s office spokesperson, told the Associated Press that the victim’s dog was found safe.
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Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office said that the 69-year-old woman was found unresponsive near the edge of a lagoon in the Spanish Wells community of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (FOX 28 Savannah)
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources reported that the alligator was nearly 10 feet long, according to FOX Carolina.
Authorities believe she was walking her dog in Spanish Wells when the attack occurred. (FOX 28 Savannah)
Authorities are actively investigating the incident. There are no additional details at this time.