Two , not one -- alligators were involved in the Walt Disney World gator attack that took two-year-old Lane Graves' life. The child's father, Matt Graves, said he fought a second alligator as he attempted to rescue his son from the beast that was dragging the boy into the Seven Seas Lagoon at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Capt. Tom Wellons of the Reedy Creek Fire Department revealed the update in an email to his two supervisors released to the public this week. Lane, from Nebraska, was wading along the lake's edge on Tuesday, June 14 when he was snatched by an alligator as his parents were relaxing by the shore. Lane Graves' body was recovered by authorities the next day after a 16-hour search, CNN reported.
According to Wellons, Matt Graves initially refused to leave the area even though he needed stitches and antibiotics for the gator bite marks. Wellons said he eventually convinced the father to leave and told him he could come back to the area immediately after he got medical attention, The Orlando Sentinel reported.
Horrific Experience
In his email, Wellons wrote about how Matt Graves recounted "the horror that he experienced" as the alligator pulled his son underwater and how a second alligator attacked him while he was attempting to free the toddler. Wellons described the child's parents as an "incredibly sweet couple," with the mother, Melissa Graves, referring to Lane Graves as her "happy boy," The Orlando Sentinel added.
Lane Graves' body was found by an Orange County dive team about 15 yards from the shore and six feet under the murky water. His body was intact with only a few puncture wounds.
Five alligators were killed during the search for Lane Graves, with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials saying they are "confident" that they killed the beast responsible for the boy's death, Fox News reported. At the time of the incident, there were signs posted in the area that advised against swimming, but there were no warnings about alligator attacks.
Disney Makes Changes
Three days after the boy's death, Disney put up fences around the lake and other lakefront resorts. They also erected signs warning visitors of alligators and snakes in the area.
Disney World has also banned fishing unless it's for excursions, CBS News wrote. Employees have been deployed in hotel beaches, which are closed during nighttime except when there are fireworks shows.
Jokes about alligators eating children have been dropped from Disney World attractions as well. Alligator figures from popular Disney films were also removed from shows.
