90-Year-Old Woman's Leg Amputated After Alligator Attack

A 90-year-old woman's leg was partially severed after an alligator made a surprise attack, reports The New York Daily News.

The incident reportedly happened at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday in the backyard of Margaret Webb's Copeland, Fla., home, according to the Florida Fish and WIldlife Commission.

Officials said the 8 feet-long alligator thrashed out of the canal and tried to drag the woman into the water as she hung on for dear life until a good samaritan, risking his own life, saved her, reports The Ledger.

Dwayne Daniels III drove by Webb's home and helped the woman and then shot the animal in the right eye, reports WPTV5 News. The woman's son Jack Webb also assisted in the rescue.

Webb was lifted via helicopter to a hospital where doctors operated on her leg. Fear of infection from the alligator's clench left doctors with little choice but to amputate her leg below the knee.

Jack Webb told WPTV5 News his mother is in critical condition.

CNN reported wildlife officials investigated Webb's flooded backyard Thursday morning, but the alligator has yet to turn up.