A woman was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition after she was bitten by an alligator in the Florida Everglades near Coral Springs Friday evening.

Rescue workers responded after the woman was bitten in a remote area of Willard's Fishing Camp, about a mile and a half west of Coral Springs, around 6:30 p.m.

Officials said they received a 911 call about a woman who had her hand bitten off by a gator.

The woman was airlifted to Broward North Hospital in Pompano Beach, where she was in critical condition.

Officials said the woman dropped a can in the water and when she reached for it she was bitten. She was with a group of seven or eight people.

"Several people that were there and witnessed this kept her from going in the water when the alligator bit her, they apparently tried to keep her from going into the water so she remained on the dock and did not fall in the water at all," Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue spokesman Mike Jachles said.

The woman's name wasn't released but officials said she is 49 years old and from central Florida.

This is a developing story; check back with NBC 6 for updates.