10-year-old in Florida pries open alligator's mouth to free her leg

ORLANDO, Fla. (KABC) -- A 10-year-old girl in Florida is recovering Sunday after being bit by an 8-foot alligator and breaking free on her own.

Authorities said the girl was sitting in shallow water at Lake Moss Park in Orlando on Saturday, when the alligator bit her leg.

According to officials, the girl was able to pry open the gator's mouth and get her leg out.

She was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and was later released.

The swimming area was evacuated, and the gator was captured and euthanized.

Orange County Parks and Recreation manager Matt Suedmeyer said the park's waterfront areas were closed to swimmers for safety until further notice.

There have been 388 alligator bites on people in Florida since 1948, including 24 fatalities, according to the wildlife commission.

A 2-year-old Nebraska boy was killed by an alligator at Walt Disney World last June when the 7-foot animal dragged the child from the edge of a lagoon. Six non-fatal alligator bites also were reported statewide last year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.