A 71-year-old man died Friday after an alligator attack at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park in Winter Garden, prompting warnings from local officials for people fishing or walking near Lake Apopka to stay alert and keep a safe distance from wildlife.
Authorities said Steven Hamilton was fishing Friday night when he was attacked. Afterward, wranglers removed a nearly 12-foot alligator from the area.
Jason Handley, who was at the park as crews responded, said he watched officials pull the alligator from the water.
“When we got here, all the rescue people and everything was over on this side,” Handley said. “It had the drones, everything in the air.”
Handley said the alligator recovered after the attack was not the only large gator he has seen at the park. He described one encounter while he was fishing nearby.
“I’m standing right here fishing, and he’s coming right here,” Handley said. “And I kind of stepped back to get away from him. And then he moved on out here.”
Several people who frequent the park and areas near Lake Apopka said alligators are commonly seen there. Winter Garden’s police chief said that is not unusual.
“Lake Apopka has tons of alligators in it, so that’s not uncommon to see alligators in this part of town at all,” the chief said.
Carol Johnson, a Winter Garden resident, said she was saddened by what happened.
“I’m sad,” Johnson said. “And I hope that whatever happened, that that family, that whoever, that they’re OK.”
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says serious injuries from alligators are rare. Still, Winter Garden police said anyone walking near Lake Apopka or fishing in the area should be aware that alligators may be present, respect their space and keep a safe distance.
The death marks the second deadly alligator encounter reported in Central Florida this year. In June, a woman died after being bitten by an alligator while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River near Seminole County.
Some park visitors said they hope more steps are taken to prevent future encounters.
“I believe they should do something about that,” one man said. “Maybe they’ll come take this bigger one out, due to what happened and the nature of the things that happened here yesterday.”
News 6 asked the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission how many alligators have been reported at the park and what steps, if any, could be taken to reduce the risk of future encounters. Officials said they plan to provide an update.