Florida Fisherman Killed by 12-Foot Alligator After Slipping
An elderly man attempting to escape a large alligator fell on the shoreline before being dragged into the water.
A 71-year-old Florida fisherman, Steven Hamilton, died after a 12-foot alligator attacked him at Lake Apopka. The incident occurred at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park as Hamilton was posing for a photo with a fish he had caught.
According to witness Jason Handley, Hamilton heard the alligator approaching from the water's edge and attempted to flee. However, he slipped and fell on the shoreline, allowing the alligator to seize his leg and pull him into the lake. "It just snatched him in there," Handley recounted.
Handley also reported his own close encounter with an alligator at the same park a few days prior, stating he had to strike it with a fishing net. He expressed concern to his girlfriend, anticipating an attack on someone due to the prevalence of large alligators in the area. Other park visitors reportedly attempted to distract the alligator by throwing traffic cones, but kept their distance due to the significant number of alligators, some measuring up to 15 feet.
The alligator involved in the attack was subsequently trapped and killed by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials.