A 71-year-old fisherman was killed by an alligator in Florida after he was dragged into a lake while posing for a photograph. Steven Hamilton was attacked at Dr Bradford Memorial Park in Winter Garden on Friday, October 16.
Attack Details
Hamilton had been fishing and caught a large bass. He asked the person he was with to take a picture of him holding the fish. Witness Beatrice Soto told WFTV: "He caught a bass. He held it up for whoever it was to take a picture of him, and the gator came up and grabbed him by the leg and pulled him in."
Emergency services responded at around 5 pm, but Hamilton was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was later recovered from the water. He suffered a severe leg injury and drowned.
Alligator Removed and Killed
A contracted nuisance alligator trapper removed an alligator measuring 11 feet and eight inches from the area, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Aerial footage showed a group of six people wrangling the predator out of the water. Wildlife officers later secured the alligator's mouth shut and killed the reptile.
The FWC said in a statement: "The FWC extends its deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of the victim during this difficult time."
Community Mourns
Hamilton was a regular visitor to the park and a prominent member of the local Orlando music community. Christine Pompilio, managing partner of the sports bar Jax's 5th Avenue, said: "He was very, very talented, played different instruments, and would share all that knowledge with everybody that came along and joined in." She added: "He was just such a kind soul, kind-hearted man, very generous with his time. I think he'll be really missed in the community."
The FWC notes alligators can be found in all 67 counties in Florida, but serious injuries caused by the animals are rare. The agency said: "The FWC places the highest priority on public safety and administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) to address complaints concerning specific alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property." The Winter Garden Police Department and FWC are investigating the incident.
