Florida Man Killed by Alligator While Posing With Catch
A coroner ruled the death of 71-year-old Steven Hamilton an accident, citing blunt force injury and drowning.
The final moments of Steven Hamilton, a 71-year-old fisherman killed by an alligator, involved blunt force injury to his left leg and drowning, according to a coroner's report. Witnesses said Hamilton was posing for a photograph with a fish he had just caught when a 12-foot alligator emerged from Lake Apopka and attacked him.
The incident occurred Friday at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park in Winter Garden, Florida, a popular fishing spot near Hamilton's home. The medical examiner's office confirmed that Hamilton sustained a fatal wound to his leg but was still alive when he was dragged into the water by the alligator.
Captain Michael Mason of the Winter Garden Police Department stated that alligators are common in the area, with Lake Apopka being a habitat for many. He advised residents to maintain a safe distance from local wildlife, emphasizing that even seemingly docile alligators can be dangerous.
Hamilton, described as a seasoned fisherman and a veteran musician on the Orlando circuit, died at the scene. Emergency responders faced a lengthy process to recover his body due to multiple alligators circling the area after the attack.
Video footage captured the aftermath, showing trappers capturing and killing the alligator involved in the attack. Florida Fish and Wildlife officials confirmed the alligator was decapitated, and its head was taken as evidence.
Locals remembered Hamilton as a regular at the park, known for his kindness and willingness to share his fishing knowledge. Christine Pompilio, who knew Hamilton through the Orlando music scene, described him as a talented multi-instrumentalist who mentored aspiring musicians.
This incident follows another fatal alligator attack in the region less than four months prior, when 31-year-old Brittany Clark was killed by a 12-foot alligator in the Little Big Econ State Forest. Reports from that event detailed a struggle where her boyfriend attempted to rescue her from the alligator's grip, which included a 'death roll' technique.
Alligator attacks on humans are considered rare in the U.S., according to the Florida Wildlife Commission. The mating season for alligators, which typically runs from April to June, can lead to increased territorial behavior.