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The man-made lagoon at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
Hotel at Disney World where a two-year-old boy was dragged into by an alligator
on June 14, 2016.
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The 2-year-old boy who was dragged by an alligator on the
shores of Disney’s upscale Grand Floridian Resort & Spa remained missing
early Wednesday — as authorities continued their desperate search for the
tragic tot.
Jeff Williamson of the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission said additional personnel would be deployed to assist
in the search-and-rescue operation.
“Right now we’re going to bring in some fresh eyes and
continue with the search,” Williamson said, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
“Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.”
The boy, who was vacationing with his family of five from
Nebraska, was on the shoreline of the Seven Seas Lagoon on Tuesday night when
the gator — estimated to be between 4 and 7 feet long — attacked him.
His dad tried to pry him loose from the animal but was
unable to, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said.
“As a father, as a grandfather, we’re going to hope for the
best in these circumstances, but based on my 35 years of law enforcement
experience, we know we have some challenges ahead of us,” Demings said, the
paper reported.
The attack happened in an area where “No Swimming” signs
were posted, he said. There are no signs of gators in the area.
More than 50 law enforcement personnel searched the man-made
lake throughout the night along with an alligator tracker and two marine units.
Nick Wiley with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission said it’s rare for people to be attacked by alligators.
“Everyone here at the Walt Disney World Resort is devastated
by this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the family,” Disney spokeswoman
Jacquee Wahler said. “We are helping the family and doing everything we can to
assist law enforcement.”
There had been no other recent reports of similar alligator
attacks on the lake, Demings said.
The tragedy was the latest to hit the Orlando area within a
week. On Friday night, singer Christina Grimmie was killed by a gunman who then
killed himself. Early Sunday, an ISIS supporter massacred 49 people and wounded
53 others.
Hotel guest A.J. Jain and his wife traveled from Georgia to
Disney for a conference.
“I’m just here to say a prayer,” he told the Orlando
Sentinel. “I can’t imagine what those parents are going through. It’s been one
tough week in Orlando.”
-New York Post-
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