BRADENTON, Fla. — A Florida woman is recovering from an alligator attack.

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She said she’s thanking her neighbor in her Bradenton retirement community for saving her life.

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According to wildlife agents, the 77-year-old woman was walking by a pond last Saturday when suddenly an alligator jumped out of some bushes and attacked her.

Photos: Neighbor saves Florida woman’s life during alligator attack in retirement community

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Neighbor saves Florida woman’s life during alligator attack in retirement community

A witness who lives nearby said it could have been worse if not for the quick thinking of one of their neighbors.

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“He immediately started shouting and screaming and the gator turned around and went right into the water,” said Gordon Silver who lives nearby. “So you know, he saved her life really because who knows what would have happened after that.”

Wildlife agents captured and killed the aggressive gator.

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Officials said alligator attacks like this are rare, but they can get more aggressive this time of year because their eggs are hatching.

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