Orlando – A large group of people surrounded the Seven Seas Lagoon at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa while Orange County Deputies search for a 2-year-old child who was dragged into the water by an alligator.
The unidentified child was playing around the lagoon late Tuesday evening when the incident occurred right before the popular fireworks show.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office received a call at 9:21 p.m. and was dispatched to the scene along with Reedy Creek Fire Rescue and Florida Fish and Wildlife. The beach area on the Seven Seas Lagoon has been sealed off and a search and rescue team is still searching for the missing child.
While officials conduct their search, many residents have joined together to pray for the child.
As of 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, the child has not been found or identified by the Sheriff’s Department.
Update 1:30 a.m. Wednesday
No names have been released as to the family of the missing child. Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demmings stated that the Nebraska family has been vacationing at the Grand Floridian Resort since June 12. The parents were on the beach of the Seven Seas Lagoon with their children when their 2-year-old boy was dragged into the water by what was described by witnesses to be a 4-7 foot alligator.
According to Demings, the father of the child attempted to wrestle the child away from the gator but was not successful. It is believed the mother also attempted to help wrestle the child away.
Florida Fish and Wildlife spokesperson, Chad Weber stated that an investigation is underway in conjunction with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
It is still unclear as to whether or not Disney officials were aware of an alligator presence in their lakes.
Comments are closed.