Hiker floating down Fla river bitten by alligator

OCALA, Fla. (AP) - Florida wildlife officials say a woman floating down a river was bitten on the head by an alligator.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says four hikers were lost Sunday when they began floating down a river in the Ocala National Forest.

Wildlife officials say a 6- to 8-foot alligator swam up and bit Suzanne Barnes on the head. An incident report says the bite "appears to be a case of mistaken identity" because the alligator immediately let go and swam away.

Commission spokeswoman Joy Hill says the hikers asked a passing canoeist for help. The canoeist eventually reached a fire station, which dispatched firefighters in canoes to rescue the hikers.

Barnes was treated at the scene before driving herself to a hospital to be treated for minor injuries.