A 15-year-old Florida girl is recovering after surviving a violent attack by a 10-foot alligator while swimming in Pond Creek, approximately 25 miles from Destin. The incident occurred on June 22 and was confirmed by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, as reported by Fox News.
The victim, identified as Summer Hinote, was swimming when she felt something brush up against her. Moments later, the alligator bit her leg and dragged her underwater.
A teenage girl fought off 10ft alligator that attacked her as she swam in a lake — by punching it in the head.
Brave Summer Hinote, 15, was waist deep when the knobbly monster latched onto her leg, took her underwater and violently shook her.https://t.co/5OS2TW33ww pic.twitter.com/InBwvQ2s8d— Ashley Pemberton (@pemberton18) July 16, 2025
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“I just started punching it in the head as hard as I could,” Hinote told FOX 35. “And he had let go and then grabbed me again. And the second time that he let go and grabbed me, he had drug me underneath the water. And he like shook my leg around.”
Hinote said she fought to escape and managed to break free after the alligator briefly let go to get a better grip. During that moment, she began running toward shore. A friend who was nearby assisted her in getting out of the water safely.
Florida teen fights off alligator that dragged her underwater:
A teenager in Florida was attacked by a 10-foot alligator and survived after fighting back.The Walton County Sheriff’s Office said 15-year-old Summer Hinote was bitten by the alligator on … https://t.co/4kHOlEQtxq
— Elwin Sidney (@ElwinSidney) July 15, 2025
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“Whenever he let go, I had started running up. And I had gotten up out of the water,” she recalled.
Despite sustaining serious injuries to her leg, officials confirmed that amputation was not necessary. Medical professionals treated Hinote, and she is expected to recover.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was notified, and the alligator was later captured and removed from the area.
The incident is one of several recent alligator-related encounters reported in Florida during the warmer months, when both residents and visitors frequently visit freshwater creeks, ponds, and lakes.
According to wildlife officials, while alligator attacks are rare, they do occur, particularly in areas where people swim or wade in water during dusk or dawn when alligators are more active.
Local authorities are continuing to monitor the area and advise caution when entering natural bodies of water throughout the region.
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