Boy, 11, Loses Hand After Being Attacked by Alligator While on Fishing Trip with Dad 

“Now he faces the challenge of adapting to his new circumstances while holding onto the things he loves,” a GoFundMe for Brodie Terry stated

NEED TO KNOW

• Brodie Terry, 11, and his dad were out fishing in Florida on June 27 when he was attacked by an alligator, authorities and family said

• Brodie’s father attempted to save him, and the boy’s hand was severed when the alligator rolled, said a relative

• The child is currently recovering at his Pennsylvania home

An alligator bit an 11-year-old boy who was visiting Florida from Pennsylvania with his family, resulting in the loss of his hand. 

The incident occurred on June 27 at Nelson Fish Camp near Umatilla in Marion County, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in a statement shared with PEOPLE on Tuesday, July 7. The agency reported receiving a report of a juvenile who was bitten on the hand by an alligator while he was fishing from shore. 

“The victim was transported to the hospital to be treated for their injuries.  An FWC law enforcement officer dispatched the 8’7” alligator,” the FWC confirmed. 

The boy, identified by family members as Brodie Terry, was with his father at the time, according to reporting by local CBS station WFOR, CBS affiliate WKMG and NBC affiliate WESH. 

Andrew Raines, a relative, told WKMG that Brodie had just reeled in a fish and was putting it back in the water when the alligator suddenly attacked. 

“Brodie’s father jumped into the water on top of it and tried to pry his mouth open,” Raines said. “The gator rolled, and that’s what ultimately severed Brodie’s hand.”

Brodie underwent several surgeries as doctors tried to save his right hand, but they eventually amputated it at the wrist, Raines further told WKMG. 

The boy is currently recovering at his home in Pennsylvania after his release from the hospital in Florida. 

“This tragic accident has not only changed Brodie’s life but has also placed a tremendous burden on his family as they navigate the aftermath,” a GoFundMe established to help the family pay for the child’s medical expenses stated.

 “Brodie’s passion for fishing, baseball and football have always brought him joy, and now he faces the challenge of adapting to his new circumstances while holding onto the things he loves,” the fundraiser description continued.

The GoFundMe has raised more than $20,000 so far as of Tuesday afternoon. PEOPLE contacted the fundraiser organizer but did not receive an immediate reply.

In its statement to PEOPLE about the June 27 attack, the FWC noted that serious injuries involving alligators are rare. The agency recommended that people should keep a safe distance, swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours and never feed an alligator.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The incident occurred one day before an alligator fatally attacked Brittany Clark, 31, as she was swimming with friends and her boyfriend in Florida’s Econlockhatchee River.

Clark’s boyfriend, Chance Allison, could be heard calling for help after she was bitten, according to 911 audio obtained by local outlet CBS 12,

“Somebody got bit by a gator. Bad. Real bad,” the boyfriend can be heard saying. “Please, hurry.”

Allison also said in the call that one of Clark’s arms was “hanging on by a thread” while the other one was ripped off in the attack.

Clark died en route to a hospital, FWC’s Chad Weber said in a June 29 press conference.

In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, the FWC said a 13-foot alligator found at the incident location, and a 12.5-foot alligator half a mile away, “were captured and killed” afterward.