As we are all sadly aware, 2- year- old toddler, Lane Graves, was dragged by an alligator at a Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Orlando this past Tuesday, June 14th. Yesterday his body was found, intact, in a lagoon 10-15 feet away from the shoreline in the same area where he was taken. It appears Lane was drowned by the alligator and his body was left near the area where he was originally taken.
The toddler was wading at the shoreline when the unimaginable happened. As the little boy was grabbed by the 4-7 foot alligator, his father tried in vain to free him. His unsuccessful attempt garnered him minor injuries.
The helpless parents, Melissa and Matt Graves, waited for 16 hours as Disney World and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission began searching frantically for the boy.
The beach where the reptile grabbed the child is part of the luxury Grand Floridian resort, across the lake from Magic Kingdom. The lake, which stretches over about 200 acres and reaches a depth of 14 feet, feeds into a series of canals that winds through the entire Disney property.
Five alligators were euthanized in the process with none showing any signs of the little boy. In light of finding the boy’s body intact, they are comparing bite marks found on the boy to the teeth and jaws of the alligators. Some speculate that none of these alligators is responsible for the death of the toddler. The autopsy will help to reveal more answers.
In the front of the body of water, there is a sign that clearly says “No Swimming.” Down the road at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress resort, they have sign that clearly states “Beware of Alligators.”
In an AP report, a sheriff said charges are unlikely against the couple who were on vacation from Nebraska with their two children. Lane’s four-year-old sister had also been wading in the water at the time of the attack. Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings told The Associated Press after a news conference Wednesday there was no indication Will and Melissa Graves of suburban Omaha, Nebraska, committed any crime that contributed to the reptile grabbing their son, Lane Graves.
No charges against the couple? Why would that even be considered? Lane was not swimming. He and his sister were wading in the water. I think the real question has to be, “Why doesn’t Disney World have any signs posted for the public to be aware of alligators in and around the resort?
Disney World has come under attack for not having a sign similar to the one at the Hyatt. You can see the comparison between Disney’s sign vs Hyatt’s sign.
“We definitely will work with everyone involved to try to determine if there’s something we can learn, if we can do something better,” agency director Nick Wiley said.
Lane’s death is the first alligator attack on Disney property since a reptile bit the legs of an 8-year-old boy at Disney’s Fort Wilderness campground in 1986. The boy survived that attack.
There are over one million alligators in Florida which is the most alligator-populated state in the nation according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. They also stated fatal alligator attacks remain rare. Before Lane Graves’ death, 23 people had been killed by wild alligators in Florida since 1973, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission statistics.
Despite the fact that alligator deadly attacks aren’t common, doesn’t the resort have a responsibility to warn their patrons of the possibility of alligators in their waters?
I don’t think anyone knows why they haven’t placed any signs prior to this warning about alligators but they are certainly looking into now.
The question remains- Could Disney World have prevented Lane Grave’s death by placing signs by warning vacationers about possible alligators in their waters? Would a “Beware of Alligators” sign stop you from allowing your child wading in the water?
Have a story, please email me at tevangelistaepp@yahoo. Like my tv page at https://www.facebook.com/ACloseUpLookAtAnimalWelfareIssues.
Disney is at fault!
Yes and I hope they sue them!!!!
People should be ashamed for hating on the parents like they did. It wasn’t their fault. They’re from Nebraska. People assumed they knew it is gator country. Not everyone knows about everything in areas where they don’t live. People need to get a grip and stop being so harsh. It’s been in the news how many other children have waded in the same spot as Lane. Their kids were lucky.
It’s not only irresponsible for Disney World NOT put signs warning their guests, I think it should be illegal. People visit from all over the world. I guess they should automatically know it is gator country. They should have signs which they do now and also their guests in person when they are there.
Suing them won’t bring back their little boy but going up against a huge corporation like that should send a message that the “happiest place in the world” is a façade. They need to pay for their mistake.
I can’t imagine what the boy went through. I read someone saying drowning is so peaceful. Please. I can’t imagine what the father went through as he fought the alligator to no avail.
The pain this family is dealing with insurmountable. It’s going to haunt them for the rest of their lives. It never should’ve happened.
RIP Lane Graves.
:'(
They think they found the alligator who killed this boy. Now Disney World put up signs warning people about alligators and snakes there. That’s a joke. Where were they before this boy was drowned by one?
The kid shouldn’t have been in the water. why did the parents allow him to be there? I’m not saying Disney isn’t at fault. They should’ve had signs up telling the public about alligators. That’s a no-brainer. This never had to happen.
Disneyworld should of warned all guests. Why wouldn’t you tell people that there could be alligators in the water. Wth is wrong with them? I can’t imagine what the parents endured watching their son being taken away and killed by an alligator. The public will soon forget and forgive Disneyworld for what happened.
I’d never go to Disney for what they didn’t tell the guests. That little boy would be still alive had they known alligators were in their waters. How do they sleep at night knowing they are the reason for the death of this child? Shame on them isn’t hard enough. They should be arrested for more than that.