Overview

• Officials confirmed that Hinote’s severe leg wounds from the June 22 attack did not require amputation and she is recuperating at home.
• The Walton County Sheriff’s Office estimated the alligator was at least 10 feet long based on its bite marks.
• Hinote’s friends freed her from the gator’s grip and her mother drove her to meet first responders after dialing 911.
• Local and national outlets have published her firsthand account of punching the alligator to escape, drawing praise for her resilience.
• Wildlife and law enforcement agencies have issued updated safety guidance for swimmers sharing freshwater habitats with alligators.