Search For Child Lost To A Gator At Walt Disney World Called Off
by Cheryl RosenA view of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Photo: Nancy Nally
Updated 6/16/16
Sixteen hours after a tot was pulled underwater by an alligator during outdoor movie night at Walt Disney Resort’s Grand Floridian Hotel in Orlando, his body—and five live alligators—were found in the waters. Forensic teams will now try to determine if one of the alligators was responsible for the attack.
The two-year-old, visiting with his parents and baby sister from Nebraska, was wading at the edge of the water at about 9 p.m. when he was pulled off the beach, as his father vainly attempted to fight off the 7-foot gator.
Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings, who led the search team, noted there are “No Swimming” signs posted around the lagoon, and no one else was in the water. Alligator attacks are relatively rare, and do not usually involve human beings, though evening is prime feeding time.
Disney closed all its beaches on Wednesday “out of an abundance of caution.”
Disney spokesperson Jacquee Wahler told TMR that “everyone here at Walt Disney Resort is devastated by this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the family. We are helping the family and doing everything we can to assist law enforcement.”
It’s a sad story, coming during a hard week for Disney and for Orlando, just as the opening of Disney Shanghai was expected to bring more colorful and cheerful coverage.
