Victim identified as Steven Hamilton, 71
WINTER GARDEN, Fla. —
Winter Garden firefighters pulled a man’s body from water near Lake Apopka after he was killed by an alligator on Friday, according to officials.
Crews responded around 5 p.m. to a 911 call out of Dr. Bradford Memorial Park, Winter Garden Fire Rescue Department Chief Jose Gainza and Winter Garden police Capt. Michael Mason confirmed to WESH 2 News.
According to Mason, the victim — a 71-year-old Winter Garden man — was fishing on the shoreline of a retention pond near the lake when he was attacked by a nearly 12-foot alligator.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has identified the man as Steven Hamilton.
Gainza said that alligators were active in the area and were in the way of rescue efforts, adding rescue swimmers couldn’t enter the water but were attempting to get the man’s body out of it via other means.
Chopper 2’s camera was rolling as FWC trappers later appeared to kill an alligator and pull it from the water as well.
“Lake Apopka has tons of alligators in it, so that’s not uncommon to see alligators in this part of town at all,” Mason said.
Winter Garden police are investigating the attack jointly with FWC.
“A contracted nuisance alligator trapper was dispatched to the scene, and an 11’ 8’’ alligator was removed from the area,” FWC said in a statement. “(…) The FWC extends its deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of the victim during this difficult time.”
Anyone who may have been a witness to the incident is asked to call Detective Kevin Burger at 407-656-3636 ext. 6320.
“Serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in Florida,” the FWC said in a statement. “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. People with concerns about an alligator should call FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). When someone concerned about an alligator calls the Nuisance Alligator Hotline, we will dispatch one of our contracted nuisance alligator trappers to resolve the situation.”
>>Full news conference below: Officials give update after man killed in Winter Garden gator attack