A Chicago settled Malayali doctor named Nita Kunnumpuram died after her car overturned and fell into an alligators-infested canal named Alligator Alley in Florida.

The accident happened at early 6.30 am in the morning on Friday, as the 30-year-old was travelling alone from her resident in Illinois to Naples. Going by reports, Nita lost control of the car and fell into the canal stretch filled with alligators.

An American couple who was travelling in a car just behind her stopped after seeing the accident and tried to rescue the unconscious Nita. But, the alligators rushed towards the couple and they had to stop their efforts and got out of the canal that is located on the sides of the I-75 Express Highway that connects Florida and Naples.

After the couple informed the police, they rushed to the spot. However, Nita was dead by then. Reportedly, alligators were surrounding the car in the canal making it difficult for troopers and divers to investigate. The woman’s body was later found in the water. The crash remains under investigation.