Update: 4:30 pm
It has been confirmed that authorities have found the intact body of two-year-old Lane Graves. The child was found around 1:45 pm using sonar about 15 feet from the shore in 6 foot water and recovered by 3:30pm. Authorities have not captured the alligator that attacked Graves, but will continue to search until they find it. Disney has reported that they are going to “review protocols and signage” for their lakes.
Update: 1:25 am
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that a child playing near the edge of the water on a beach at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa was attacked and pulled in the Seven Seas Lagoon. The boy’s father attempted to rescue him from the gator’s mouth, but had to walk away with a few scratches and is being assisted. The family is vacationing from Nebraska.
There are currently more than 50 officers searching the lake including 2 marine units. Florida Wildlife Commission has enough resources that it can stay on property until the child is found. Deputies hope to recover the child by daylight, but will still continue the search for as long as it takes.
When questioned about how the OCSO is reacting to this incident after the shootings over the past weekend, Sheriff Jerry Demmings responded, “The staff is very resilient, and tonight they are very focused on assisting the family.”
Original Post
Tragedy has struck Walt Disney World property. Reports are coming in that a two-year-old child has been attacked by an alligator at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Twitter user ChristianTheMagician (@Menardness) broke the news and posted updates on the situation throughout the night.
Right now, it is believed that the child was at the Grand Floridian’s Movie Under the Stars on the beach when the child was attacked and drug into the water. Helicopters are circling the Seven Seas Lagoon, and everyone watching the situation from balconies around the area have been removed. Police are on the scene and have the area taped off and continue their search according to the Orlando Sentinel. We’ll update more on the story as new information is released.
Update: 12:20 am
Orange County Sheriff’s Office will give an update to media at 12:45 am. As of now, the child and gator are still currently missing.
Update: 11:59 pm
#BREAKING: A first responder who’s at @WaltDisneyWorld told @WFTV neither the gator nor the child have been seen since the attack. #WFTV
— Mike Manzoni (@MManzoniWFTV) June 15, 2016
#BREAKING: A first responder told @CHeathWFTV rescue crews are using boats and a helicopter to search for the gator and child. #WFTV
— Mike Manzoni (@MManzoniWFTV) June 15, 2016
#UPDATE Witnesses are here as well as @MyFWC Witnesses reported gator around 7′ @WESH
— Adrian Whitsett (@AdrianWhitsett) June 15, 2016
Update: 11:21 pm
Officials are also searching the perimeter of the water with flashlights where toddler was taken by #gator #Disney pic.twitter.com/Jh22S1kzhU
— Christal Hayes (@Journo_Christal) June 15, 2016
Breaking: 10:28 pm
Police putting up yellow tape outside of The Grand Floridian directly across from Magic Kingdom in Orlando… pic.twitter.com/yBQc3r4hcG
— ChristianTheMagician (@Menardness) June 15, 2016
Helicopters flying around searching the water with spotlights…This is crazy — ChristianTheMagician (@Menardness) June 15, 2016
Just talked to a guy who said that they removed everyone from the balcony overlooking the area.
— ChristianTheMagician (@Menardness) June 15, 2016
They’re saying that a 2 year old was eaten by an alligator… Jesus. pic.twitter.com/Pn6baw4WGQ — ChristianTheMagician (@Menardness) June 15, 2016