A search is underway for a two-year old child who was reportedly dragged into a lagoon by an alligator at Disney World resort.
The child was staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, which is one of three located on the edge of the Seven Seas Lagoon.
Authorities believe the child was taken by the alligator at around 9.30pm on Tuesday night while wading in the shallows, but after hours of scouring the water, there’s still no sign of him, according to the Guardian.
Orange County sheriff, Jerry Demings, told reporters the boy’s father, who was supervising him at the time, had tried in vain to wrestle his son from the creature’s jaws.
“There is a sandy beach area and the family was out simply relaxing… and in the water along the lake’s edge at the time the alligator attacked the child,” Demings said.
“The father entered the water and tried to grab the child and was not successful in doing so. At some point I am told the mother may also have entered the water.
“The parents diligently tried to get the child.”
The family was on holiday from Nebraska and the boy is one of three children.
The search will continue through out the night and Demings said he was “very hopeful” the child would be located.
“As a father, as a grandfather, I’m going to hope for the best in these circumstances. But based upon my 35 years of law enforcement experience we know that we have some challenges ahead of ourselves at this time,” he said.
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Top Comments
The only people to blame are the owners of DisneyWorld. There was a 'no swimming' sign posted, but no reason as to why. The little boy was paddling on the edge of the water on the beach of the Disney resort. Who in the hell would think an alligator would be skulking around, especially as the family was from Nebraska?
I see all the chairs in that photo so it looks like it was actually set up as a place for people to sunbake and swim. I don't really understand why if it has gators it would be set up resort style like that because I would think people seeing that kind of set up would assume it was a safe place. Can someone enlighten me?
I can't begin to imagine the trauma the parents are going through. It would be bad enough to see your child killed before you, but this is even worse. I don't imagine you can ever be normal after something like this hsppening.