The father of a tragic toddler who was snatched by an alligator at a Disney resort was attacked by a second alligator as he battled to save his son's life.
As guests at Disney’s five-star Grand Floridian Resort & Spa enjoyed an open-air movie, Lane Graves was playing in the shallow water with his big sister Ella (4) under the supervision of their parents, Melissa and Matt Graves when the animal attacked.
His body was recovered from the water 16 hours later. Orange County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the cause of death as drowning and traumatic injuries.
Now emails obtained by
a Florida newspaper show that, according to Lane's father Matt Graves' account of the incident, there were two
alligators in the water.
The email was written by Captain Tom Wellons of the Reedy Creek Fire Department, who recorded Mr Graves' account of the tragedy the day after it happened as search parties combed the waters for his son.
When authorities finally convinced him to attend the hospital for treatment for the cuts on his arms, Mr Graves told Captain Wellons "how another gator attacked him as he fought for his son,"
The claim, which was immediately reported to Orange County officials, is backed up by a witness, who also saw two alligators in the water on the day.
Despite the fact that more than one million alligators live in Florida's swamps, ponds and lagoons, this is the first alligator fatality at Disney in 45 years. Disney employs a team of wildlife experts to manage and monitor the animals and the tram removes any alligators that appear to be troublesome.
James Perran Ross, a retired associate scientist of wildlife ecology and conservation at the University of Florida told
Live Science that alligators are more active in warm weather, especially during the hot summer months, and at night.
