Alligator kills fisherman near Florida’s Lake Apopka
A 71-year-old man was killed by an alligator while fishing at a park in Winter Garden, Florida, authorities confirmed.
The victim, identified as Steven Hamilton, was attacked by a nearly 12-foot-long (3.6-metre) alligator at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park, near Lake Apopka in Central Florida.
According to local authorities, the alligator grabbed Hamilton while he was fishing along the shoreline and dragged him into the water.
Winter Garden police and emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after receiving a distress call at approximately 5:20 p.m. local time.
Fire Chief Jose Gainza said rescue teams faced significant difficulties retrieving the victim because several other alligators were present in the water.
Hamilton's body was eventually recovered at around 7 p.m., nearly two hours after the initial emergency response.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed that a wildlife trapper captured an alligator measuring approximately 11 feet 8 inches (3.6 metres), believed to be responsible for the attack.
The animal was subsequently euthanized, authorities said.
Police officials confirmed that the incident was being investigated in coordination with state wildlife authorities.
Victim was taking a photo when attacked
A subsequent medical examiner's report revealed that Hamilton had just caught a fish and was attempting to take a photograph when the alligator suddenly lunged at him.
The animal reportedly bit his left leg and pulled him underwater.
The Orange County Medical Examiner's Office determined that Hamilton died from injuries to his leg and drowning, ruling his death an accident.
Dr. Bradford Memorial Park is located near Lake Apopka, an area known for its large population of American alligators.
The lake is among Central Florida's major alligator habitats, and wildlife officials regularly remind visitors to remain cautious near the water.
According to the FWC, Florida recorded approximately 500 unprovoked alligator bites between 1948 and 2025, including 32 fatal incidents during that period.
In 2025, authorities recorded 13 unprovoked bites, two of which were fatal. The state reported 11 bites without fatalities in 2024, compared with 23 bites and two deaths in 2023.
In 2022, there were 11 reported bites and two deaths, while nine nonfatal incidents were recorded in 2021.
Hamilton's death was the second fatal alligator attack reported in Florida in 2026, following an incident in June in which a 31-year-old woman was killed while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River.
Although fatal alligator attacks remain relatively rare, the latest incident has renewed concerns about public safety in recreational areas near waterways inhabited by large reptiles.
Authorities have urged residents and visitors to maintain a safe distance from alligators and remain alert when fishing, walking or spending time near lakes and ponds.
Photo: Chat GPT
