Disney World Florida has unveiled a lighthouse sculpture to honour 2-year-old boy who was killed by an alligator on its property last year.
Lane Thomas Graves was playing on the sand near the Seven Seas Lagoon when the accident occurred in June 2016.
To honour the tragedy, Disney World have erected a blue and gold lighthouse to commemorate Graves. The statue has a plaque which reads:”Presented to the Lane Thomas Foundation. A beacon of hope. A light of love.”
The lighthouse sculpture hopes to raise awareness for the Lane Thomas Foundation established by Lane’s parents to commemorate their son and provide assistance and support to families whose children need organ transplants.
“We find comfort that so many people continue to remember our sweet boy, Lane, and we believe the lighthouse stands as a beacon of hope and support for families in the depths of despair,” the Graves family said in a statement to the Orlando Sentinel.”We will continue to honour Lane and preserve his spirit through the Lane Thomas Foundation.”
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission classified the alligator attack which saw the toddler loose his life as “predatory”. “We find that the behaviors of the animal at the time of the attack are indicative of predatory intent. There is nothing to suggest provocation on the part of the victim or defensive action by the animal such as a bite and release.”
Since the tragedy, Disney have taken steps to prevent this from happening again including alligator warning signs and a bolder along the edge of the Seven Seas Lagoon.
Disney World has now posted Alligator warning signs at beaches. https://t.co/jjj31MiJ8Q pic.twitter.com/jHolAAHWHR
— Inside Edition (@InsideEdition) June 19, 2016
The lighthouse is now on display at the Florida resort.
Photo credits – Lane Thomas Foundation Facebook Page
