LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Authorities were searching early Wednesday for a 2-year-old boy who was dragged into the water by an alligator near Disney’s upscale Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
The family of five from Nebraska was on vacation and wading in a lake Tuesday evening when the attack happened, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings told a news conference. The father tried to rescue his son but was unsuccessful, Demings said.
More than 50 law enforcement personnel were searching the Seven Seas Lagoon along with an alligator tracker and two marine units and would continue searching through the night, Demings said.
“We’re going to hope for the best in these circumstances,” Demings said.
The attack happened in an area of the Seven Seas Lagoon where “no swimming” signs were posted, Demings said. The alligatorwas estimated to be 4 to 7 feet long, but its exact size was not known, Demings said.
Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Wahaler said everyone at the resort was devastated by what happened and Disney is helping the family.
When asked if Disney was aware of alligators on the property, Wahaler advised there were signs that said “no swimming.”
Demings said there had been no other recent reports of similar alligator attacks on the lake.
“We have no record of this happening before,” he said.
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A week like Orlando’s would kill the tourist industry for any other town. I don’t think it will have any impact here.
I really feel for that poor family. Why on earth, though, would you get in the water when there are signs around that explicitly say “No Swimming?” Dang. Poor little kid.
This leaves me without words. My heart goes out to the family.
So sad. Also (in addition to the wading with a 2-year-old where there are “no swimming” signs) a story that just doesn’t quite seem to add up.
At the Grand Canyon, there are overlooks where it’s pretty much a straight drop for a thousand feet. There’s a low stone wall to keep you from accidentally falling to your death while updating your status on your phone.
I watched a father of two young children, I’m guessing about 4 and 6, pick them up and put them on the other side of the wall so he could take a picture. He intentionally put his kids three feet from a cliff edge, then stood back like thirty feet.
People do these things because they’re convinced the world has been made safe and everything will be fine. But the world of soft rounded edges and safeguards born out of liability lawsuits is not safe. Just safer.
There are alligators in Florida, and water moccasins (aggressive venomous snakes). There are people texting while driving. Teach your kids situational awareness. Practice it yourself. Be in the moment. Then hope you are lucky.