Lake Buena Vista, Florida (CNN)An alligator snatched a 2-year-old boy Tuesday night in a lagoon at a Disney hotel near Orlando as his father desperately tried to save him.
A frantic overnight search to find the boy was unsuccessful, authorities said, but efforts are continuing Wednesday morning.
"This is still a search and rescue operation," said Jeff Williamson, a spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff's Office. "We are very hopeful. We are hoping for the best."
The child was on the edge of the lagoon when the alligator dragged him into the water, according to the boy's family, said Florida Fish & Wildlife executive director Nick Wiley. He cautioned that the investigation is still in an early stage and that officials need to interview at least two other families who may have witnessed the incident.
Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said the child was "wading ... along the lake's edge at the time that the alligator attacked."
Williamson said the boy was in less than a foot of water.
Why is this 'WTF'? It's water, it's Florida, it's an alligator, and the toddler had no idea where he was or what sort of risks he was taking. "Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said the child was "wading ... along the lake's edge at the time that the alligator attacked." Williamson said the boy was in less than a foot of water." Perfect setting for something like this to happen. Sure it's sad, but it's really nothing too crazy...
I don't think I would bet on them finding this kid alive. Sad.
tourist i presume? the first thing my buddy told me when we were in Miami was that every body of water in florida has gators. were there any signs up?
still very sad
From Nebraska I believe. Yes, whether there were signs up is going to affect the payout on the lawsuit. A former resident of our condo development was walking his dog at the waters edge and a gator got a hold of his calf and he got lucky, only ending up with a 12" wound that needed to be sewn up. The guy had been living in FL for over fifteen years and he should have known better.tourist i presume? the first thing my buddy told me when we were in Miami was that every body of water in florida has gators. were there any signs up?
still very sad
"No Swimming" signs all around the lake. Supposedly they watch for gators larger than 4 feet and relocate them. I have heard 2 versions (got to love the media) one says wading the other says sitting with their feet in the water.
yeah this is a lawsuit. They werent technically swimming. media says kid wasstanding in about 1 feet of water. basically the alligator came out and snatched the toddler
They have a case, it was at a Disneyland Resort. You expect to be fairly safe at a resort like that. You don't expect a Gator to come out and take your kid.This is what's wrong with America. It's nature. Be aware of your surroundings. Watch your damn kids. Not everything needs to turn into a lawsuit.
Lawsuits are not what's wrong with America . Taking single cases and blowing them up as some sort of systemic problem and in need of tort reform only serves to further restrict your own rights when you've been genuinely wronged (for example, see the NYT's series on arbitration).This is what's wrong with America. It's nature. Be aware of your surroundings. Watch your damn kids. Not everything needs to turn into a lawsuit.
I think the fact that it happened at a Disney hotel and not just some random Florida lake is what makes it WTF.
Agreed. I call this a fine example of bad parenting. I feel for the family, but what does one need to happen to weigh in the dangers of the environemt at hand.Why is this 'WTF'? It's water, it's Florida, it's an alligator, and the toddler had no idea where he was or what sort of risks he was taking. "Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said the child was "wading ... along the lake's edge at the time that the alligator attacked." Williamson said the boy was in less than a foot of water." Perfect setting for something like this to happen. Sure it's sad, but it's really nothing too crazy...