Rescuers could not get to Steven Hamilton right away. Several alligators were in the water around him, officials say. Hamilton, 71, died Friday after an alligator about 11 feet, 8 inches long attacked him while he was fishing.
It happened at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park in Winter Garden, in Orange County, Florida. The park is near Hamilton’s home. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Winter Garden Police Department responded around 5 p.m. on Oct. 16.
Winter Garden Fire Rescue Chief Jose Gainza said Hamilton was fishing from the shoreline of a pond connected to the Lake Apopka area. The alligator attacked and pulled him into the water. Because of the other alligators, crews couldn’t safely enter the water at first.
Hamilton had serious injuries from the bite, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was recovered from the pond later. Officials haven’t said what happened leading up to the attack.
The wildlife commission then sent a contracted nuisance-alligator trapper to the park. The alligator believed to be responsible was removed and killed, since officials considered it a danger to the public. Winter Garden police Capt. Michael Mason said the animal was gone from the park as investigators kept looking into the case. No other injuries have been reported.
Mason has a warning for residents. Stay alert around ponds, lakes and other waterways where alligators may live. An alligator that looks calm should not be treated as harmless. Keep your distance from wildlife.
The wildlife commission offered its condolences to Hamilton’s family and loved ones. It called the case an active investigation and had nothing more to add.
Dr. Bradford Memorial Park is in Winter Garden, in Central Florida’s Orlando area. Its ponds connect to the Lake Apopka area, where alligators are common.








