In another tragedy in Orlando, Florida, a 2-year-old boy identified as Lane Graves was taken by an alligator at the Seven Seas Lagoon, just outside the upscale Grand Floridian Resort and Spa at Walt Disney World. The resort is just across from the Magic Kingdom theme park. Lane was taken by an alligator at around 9 p.m. Tuesday night. Over 50 officials from Orlando, Orange County and Disney mounted a search for Lane and the alligator all day, but they could not find the boy in time to save him.Lane’s death was just the latest tragedy to hit the Orlando area. On Friday night, The Voice singer Christina Grimmie was killed at a nightclub. Then on Sunday, the Pulse nightclub was the site of the worst mass shooting in U.S. history when a gunman killed 49 people.
In a statement, the family said they “appreciate all the prayers that have gone forth to allow those of us working on the professional side to do our jobs to recover their son so that they can move forward at this time with a proper burial.”
“There are no words to convey the profound sorrow we feel for the family and their unimaginable loss,” Disney World spokesman George A. Kalogridis told the AP. “We are devastated and heartbroken by this tragic accident and are doing what we can to help the family during this difficult time. On behalf of everyone at Disney, we offer our deepest sympathies.”
Walt Disney Company Chairman and CEO Bob Iger has also commented on the tragedy. “As a parent and a grandparent, my heart goes out to the Graves family during this time of devastating loss. My thoughts and prayers are with them, and I know everyone at Disney joins me in offering our deepest sympathies,” Iger said.
Matt Graves tried to rescue his son, but was not able to. Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said this morning that Matt Graves wrestled with the seven-foot alligator, which had his son in its jaw. He suffered minor injuries. The incident happened while they were attending an outdoor movie screening. Melissa Graves also dived in to help.
Lane’s parents then ran to the life guard at the beach area, but when they came back to the scene, they were unable to find the boy or the alligator.Demings also said that the boy was not doing anything wrong, just acting like any toddler would. Lane was “wading … along the lake’s edge at the time that the alligator attacked,” Deming said. However, lagoon has signs warning visitors not to swim in it.
“I heard somebody screaming and yelling. I thought someone got in a fight,” Bill Wilson of New Harmony, Indiana, told The Orlando Sentinel about the scene. “I looked over and here comes one of the lifeguards…The mother was there and she was frantic, running up and down looking.”
On Thursday, Demings told the Associated Press that it is unlikely that the parents would be charged with a crime, because “There’s nothing in this case to indicate that there was anything extraordinary.” A Disney source also told the AP that there will be a “thorough review” of the sign issue at the lagoon, as many have questioned why there were no signs warning of alligators.
Divers discovered Lane’s body just 10-15 yards from the shore in water that was six feet deep. His body was found intact.
“Of course, the autopsy has to confirm that, but there is likely no question in my mind that the child was drowned by the alligator,” Demings told the media.
The body of Lane was found at around 1:45 p.m. ET, Demings said. He believes that the alligator drowned Lane.Authorities said during the press conference that the parents going into the water may have scared the alligator off, leaving the boy to drown.During the search for Lane, officials found five alligators in a nearby lagoon, reports The New York Daily News. All five were killed in the hopes that one of them had Lane.
“This is a very human experience that we’re talking about where we’re dealing with this family now who, there’s no question, will lose a 2-year-old child,” Demings said.
Nick Wiley, executive director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, told NBC News that there is a “good chance” that one of the five alligator killed did have Lane’s body. However, the investigation is ongoing, so they are not sure.
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Lane Graves: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
Published 5:00 pm EDT, June 15, 2016 28 Comments By Daniel S. Levine 121.3k
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Lane Graves was found dead in a lagoon at the Grand Floridian Resort at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. (Facebook/Getty)
Lane Graves was found dead in a lagoon at the Grand Floridian Resort at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. (Facebook/Getty)
In another tragedy in Orlando, Florida, a 2-year-old boy identified as Lane Graves was taken by an alligator at the Seven Seas Lagoon, just outside the upscale Grand Floridian Resort and Spa at Walt Disney World. The resort is just across from the Magic Kingdom theme park.
Lane was with his parents, Matt and Melissa Graves, who were on vacation. They live in Elkhorn, Nebraska, reports The Associated Press. They also have a 4-year-old daughter.
Lane Graves, Disney alligator attack, Disney alligator victim, Orlando alligator victim
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department released this photo of Lane Tuesday night. (Twitter)
Lane was taken by an alligator at around 9 p.m. Tuesday night. Over 50 officials from Orlando, Orange County and Disney mounted a search for Lane and the alligator all day, but they could not find the boy in time to save him.
Lane’s death was just the latest tragedy to hit the Orlando area. On Friday night, The Voice singer Christina Grimmie was killed at a nightclub. Then on Sunday, the Pulse nightclub was the site of the worst mass shooting in U.S. history when a gunman killed 49 people.
In a statement, the family said they “appreciate all the prayers that have gone forth to allow those of us working on the professional side to do our jobs to recover their son so that they can move forward at this time with a proper burial.”
“There are no words to convey the profound sorrow we feel for the family and their unimaginable loss,” Disney World spokesman George A. Kalogridis told the AP. “We are devastated and heartbroken by this tragic accident and are doing what we can to help the family during this difficult time. On behalf of everyone at Disney, we offer our deepest sympathies.”
Walt Disney Company Chairman and CEO Bob Iger has also commented on the tragedy. “As a parent and a grandparent, my heart goes out to the Graves family during this time of devastating loss. My thoughts and prayers are with them, and I know everyone at Disney joins me in offering our deepest sympathies,” Iger said.
Here is what we know about the case and Lane. (This post will continue to be updated.)
1. Lane’s Father Wrestled With the Gator as the Boy Was Pulled Into the Lagoon
Matt Graves tried to rescue his son, but was not able to. Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said this morning that Matt Graves wrestled with the seven-foot alligator, which had his son in its jaw. He suffered minor injuries. The incident happened while they were attending an outdoor movie screening. Melissa Graves also dived in to help.
Lane’s parents then ran to the life guard at the beach area, but when they came back to the scene, they were unable to find the boy or the alligator.
Demings also said that the boy was not doing anything wrong, just acting like any toddler would. Lane was “wading … along the lake’s edge at the time that the alligator attacked,” Deming said. However, lagoon has signs warning visitors not to swim in it.
“I heard somebody screaming and yelling. I thought someone got in a fight,” Bill Wilson of New Harmony, Indiana, told The Orlando Sentinel about the scene. “I looked over and here comes one of the lifeguards…The mother was there and she was frantic, running up and down looking.”
On Thursday, Demings told the Associated Press that it is unlikely that the parents would be charged with a crime, because “There’s nothing in this case to indicate that there was anything extraordinary.” A Disney source also told the AP that there will be a “thorough review” of the sign issue at the lagoon, as many have questioned why there were no signs warning of alligators.
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2. Lane’s Body Was Found Intact & He Likely Drowned, the Sheriff Says
Lane Graves, Grand Floridian Alligator, death, Orlando tragedy
A helicopter searches over the lagoon to try to find Lane. (Getty)
The body of Lane was found at around 1:45 p.m. ET, Demings said. He believes that the alligator drowned Lane.
Divers discovered Lane’s body just 10-15 yards from the shore in water that was six feet deep. His body was found intact.
“Of course, the autopsy has to confirm that, but there is likely no question in my mind that the child was drowned by the alligator,” Demings told the media.
#RIP 2-year-old Lane Graves from Elkhorn, Nebraska. For More:
https://t.co/EW4mElo3cP pic.twitter.com/kjvMrs9YAO
— TMZ (@TMZ) June 15, 2016
Authorities said during the press conference that the parents going into the water may have scared the alligator off, leaving the boy to drown.
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3. Wildlife Agents Captured & Killed 5 Gators During the Search for the Boy in an Effort to Find the Attacker
Orlando Alligator, Lane Graves, death by alligator, dragged by alligator
Boats were deployed to aid in the search. (Getty)
During the search for Lane, officials found five alligators in a nearby lagoon, reports The New York Daily News. All five were killed in the hopes that one of them had Lane.
“This is a very human experience that we’re talking about where we’re dealing with this family now who, there’s no question, will lose a 2-year-old child,” Demings said.
Nick Wiley, executive director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, told NBC News that there is a “good chance” that one of the five alligator killed did have Lane’s body. However, the investigation is ongoing, so they are not sure.
“We are terribly heartbroken at this outcome,” Wiley told NBC.
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4. Alligator Attacks Are Unusual in Florida & Police Hadn’t Received Any Recent Reports About Gators
Lane Graves, Lane Graves parents, Lane Graves alligator attack, Grand Floridian
The upscale Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is located just across from the Magic Kingdom theme park. Lane and his parents arrived there on Sunday. (Getty)
Officials told CNN that they have never had an attack on a young child by an alligator at Disney World. There had also been no reports of nuisance alligators in the area recently, Demings said.
“Everyone here at the Walt Disney Resort is devastated by this tragic accident,” Jacquee Wahler, a vice president at Walt Disney World Resort, said. “Our thoughts are with the family. We are helping the family and doing everything we can to assist law enforcement.”
His parents: Matthew and Melissa Graves along with his 4-year-old sister were on a family vacation, when the sad incident had happened.
5 Alligator's were shot to recover his body.
