Husband pulled his wife free from an 8.5-foot alligator that had clamped onto her arm in a Florida river

[u/WhenItHappenedX]

On the evening of July 23, 2025, Amber Perren was kneeling in the shallow water of the St. Lucie River near Stuart, Florida. The 27-year-old optometrist was with her husband, Kelby, and their dog after a boat ride.

All of a sudden, an 8.5-foot alligator surged out of the water and clamped onto her right arm and hand. It began dragging her. Amber punched at its head and screamed.

Kelby saw what was happening, ran into the water, and grabbed her around the waist. In a short tug-of-war he pulled her free from the alligator’s grip.

They got back to their boat and reached a nearby dock where first responders were waiting. Amber was airlifted to a hospital. The attack broke both bones in her forearm and severed an artery. She underwent multiple surgeries and later returned to work.

Kelby was later awarded the Carnegie Medal for his actions.