WINTER GARDEN, Fla. — 71-year-old man died Friday after an alligator attacked him while he was fishing at a popular Winter Garden park, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Steven Hamilton was fishing at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park along Lake Apopka when witnesses say a large alligator grabbed him and pulled him into the water.
“He caught a bass. He held it up for whoever it was to take a picture of him and the gator came up and grabbed him by the leg and pulled him in,” witness Beatrice Soto said.
FWC crews responded to the park around 5 p.m. Friday and recovered Hamilton’s body from the water.
Jason Handley grew up in the area and frequently fishes on Lake Apopka. He said he had crossed paths with Hamilton before.
“I’ve actually spoken to him myself down here before fishing,” Handley said.
Handley said alligators are a common sight in the lake, and some are known to approach people along the shoreline.
“They’ll come right up to you,” Handley said.
Channel 9 was at the park as FWC crews captured a 12-foot alligator and pulled it from the water. FWC officials shot and killed the alligator after capturing it.
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