Florida Alligator Kills 71-Year-Old Man Fishing Beside a Pond
Attack at Winter Garden Park
The man was fishing beside a pond at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park when the attack occurred at about 5 p.m. Friday, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. He was pulled into the water from the shore, Mason said.
The park’s several small ponds connect to larger Lake Apopka, and the area is known for alligators. A crossing in the park is named Gator Bridge. Officials said an 11-foot, 8-inch alligator was trapped and taken away.
Second Fatal Attack This Year
Her boyfriend and friends tried to rescue her, but she was later pronounced dead. On the 911 call, a person reported that she had lost one arm, nearly lost the other and was losing a lot of blood. Her boyfriend said, “It’s really bad. Please hurry.”
Florida Attack Records
Florida recorded 13 alligator attacks last year, including eight major attacks; two were fatal, according to the data. Since record-keeping began in 1948, 32 fatal alligator attacks have been recorded in the state. The number of fatal attacks has never exceeded three in a single year.
Key points
- The 71-year-old was fishing at a Winter Garden pond when an alligator pulled him into the water.
- The FWC said the trapped alligator measured 11 feet, 8 inches.
- This is Florida’s second fatal alligator attack this year.
- Florida has recorded 32 fatal alligator attacks since 1948.