An Alligator Dragged a 2-Year-Old Into Lagoon at Disney Resort
Authorities are currently searching for a 2-year-old child that was dragged by an alligator into a lagoon outside a Disney World resort earlier tonight.
According to WTAE, the child fell into the Seven Seas Lagoon at the Grand Floridian Hotel a few hours ago.
Authorities were quick to arrive on the scene and the area has been blocked off.
The 2-year-old was dragged in at approximately 9:30 and has, as of this posting, still not been found.
People have tweeted photos from the scene:
Lots of gator trappers driving into grand Floridian ????? pic.twitter.com/TM9XJBFKLB
— Gail Weafer (@gailyw) June 15, 2016
@WFTV I just saw 3 trucks with boats heading into the back area of Grand Floridian not sure if authorized or not pic.twitter.com/KeVkWEEqE2
— Gail Weafer (@gailyw) June 15, 2016
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
@vlyons03 No clue… Believe someone might have drowned. Helicopters have come in to help search the water.
— ChristianTheMagician (@Menardness) June 15, 2016
Watch WFTS’ report above.
Watch the livestream above via WFTV 9.
UPDATE–– 11:50 am EDT: The Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission have kept up the search, though indicated that they are not close to finding the boy. Disney has closed their beaches in the area, and Miami Herald reports that authorities have euthanized four alligators as they search for traces of the child.
Sheriff Jerry Demings said at a press conference that they are still holding out for hope, but he noted that after missing for more than half a day, the child’s probability of survival is dangerously low.
UPDATE–– 12:20 pm EDT: Authorities just concluded another press conference, where they said there was “no question” that the boy is dead and the mission has been changed from search and rescue to recovery.
Sheriff: Search for boy attacked by alligator near Disney resort is now a "recovery effort." https://t.co/PcHPdFkcbQ pic.twitter.com/dvehdl9htq
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) June 15, 2016
UPDATE –– 4:30 pm EST: The toddler’s body has been found.
[image via screengrab]
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