Florida is known for being a hot spot for alligators and we’ve all heard of at least one horror story about the predators. Jordan Broderick, a 15-year-old who was vacationing in the Sunshine State, nearly became another one of those stories.

Jordan was floating on a raft in Florida’s Ocala National Forest when an alligator appeared. The teen knew she wouldn’t be able to get to shore quickly enough so she grabbed onto a tree limb and scrambled up a tree.

However, the animal knew exactly where she was and wasn’t about to let her get away. He circled in the water below the tree just waiting on her to fall from the tree. The family estimated that the gator was at least four feet in length.

The girl’s mother called 911 and begged for someone to come and help her child. She pleaded with the 911 operator to please hurry. It took 30 minutes from the time the teen climbed up the tree until help finally arrived.

Her parents had tried to scare the gator away, but to no avail. When help arrived, the deputy went into the water to try to get the alligator away, but instead, it attempted to attack the deputy. He had no choice but to fire at it with his rife.

The bullet hit the alligator in the head and it sank into the water. Jordan was able to be helped down from the tree and was completely safe. Once the gator was recovered from the water it was found to be over eight feet in length.

A spokesperson with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office says that the animal was a female and they believe that Jordan may have unknowingly gotten too close to her nest. He says females are known to be territorial and aggressive this time of year.

Sounds like she is one lucky girl. Check out the video below and listen to the mother’s frantic 911 call. Be sure to share this story with your family and friends.