'Startled' Alligator Killed Florida Woman After Tipping Over Her Canoe: Investigators

Cynthia Diekema died near the mouth of Tiger Creek into Lake Kissimmee, south of Orlando.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — An alligator killed a Florida woman after tipping over a canoe she and her husband were paddling, which investigators say appeared to be an accidental encounter.

The attack happened Tuesday afternoon near the mouth of Tiger Creek into Lake Kissimmee, south of Orlando, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said. It’s near the same location as a March alligator attack in which a woman was bitten on the elbow while kayaking.

Investigators said at a news conference Wednesday that the couple was canoeing in about 2.5 feet (less than 1 meter) of water when they came upon a large alligator. The startled animal thrashed suddenly, tipping over the canoe and sending both people into the water.

“It sounds like the canoe drifted over, on top of the alligator. The alligator was startled,” said Roger Young, the FWC executive director.

Witnesses told investigators the husband tried to fight off the animal but was unsuccessful. FWC officials identified the victim as 61-year-old Cynthia Diekema of Davenport, Florida. It wasn’t clear if her husband was injured.