A Florida couple whose ten-year-old son was killed by an alligator in 1993 have spoken out after the death of two-year-old Lane Graves at Disney World. Donna and Gary Weidenhamer lost their son Bradley in an attack on the Loxahatchee River in Martin County, where the boy was grabbed and dragged into the water while playing.
The Weidenhamers were on a canoeing trip with Bradley and his Little League team when they stopped to clear fallen trees. Bradley and other children played in the shallows when an alligator seized him by the head. Gary and the team's coach, Miguel Estrada, jumped on the reptile, hitting and kicking it, while others struck it with paddles. They freed Bradley and performed CPR, but he was pronounced dead at Jupiter Hospital.
Gary Weidenhamer said the attack brought back 'horrible memories' and noted that losing a child in such a public way is especially painful. The couple credited their faith, church, friends and family for helping them cope. Donna Weidenhamer emphasised the importance of family and faith in overcoming life's challenges.
Offering condolences to Lane's parents, Matt and Melissa, Gary said: 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. You don't get over it. You learn how to deal with it.' The alligator that killed Bradley was later caught and destroyed.
