Florida fisherman killed by 12-foot alligator at Lake Apopka

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 21 Oct, 16:32 · Archive

Steven Hamilton, 71, was dragged into Lake Apopka by a 12-foot alligator after posing for a photograph with his catch.

Steven Hamilton, 71, a fisherman and Orlando musician, was fatally attacked by a 12-foot alligator at Lake Apopka's Dr. Bradford Memorial Park on Friday evening. He had just caught a bass and was posing for a photograph when he heard the alligator approaching from the water. Hamilton turned to run but slipped on the shoreline, giving the alligator the moment it needed to grab his left leg and drag him into the water.

Witness Jason Handley said that Hamilton heard the alligator and tried to escape, but "he slipped and fell, and the gator grabbed him and dragged him into the water." Several people at the scene threw traffic cones at the alligator in an attempt to save Hamilton, but kept their distance because the lake is heavily infested with alligators, some up to 15 feet in length. Handley described Hamilton as "a very happy guy" who "always had positive things to say."

Hamilton's autopsy revealed he suffered blunt force injuries to his left leg before being submerged. His body was recovered around two hours after the attack, at approximately 7 p.m. The alligator, which measured just under 12 feet, was trapped and killed by the Florida Wildlife Commission. Lake Apopka is home to more than 4,600 alligators. Hamilton's death marks the second fatal alligator attack in Florida this year, following the attack on swimmer Brittany Clark, 31, in June.

How it is being reported

• Huge alligator begins stalking Florida couple close to where fisherman, 71, was killed by one of the predators while being photographed with his catchRandy Forbes and his wife have long had alligators dot their lawn at their Lake Apopka home. But lately, an 11ft alligator had been following them around as they did work on their lawn.Daily Mail · 21 Oct, 16:19
• Florida fisherman slipped and fell after hearing 12-foot alligator creeping up on him: ‘It just snatched him’An elderly Florida fisherman trying to flee a massive 12-foot alligator slipped and fell moments before the beast clamped onto his leg and dragged him into the water, according to a report.New York Post · 20 Oct, 20:22
• Harrowing new details emerge in death of Florida fisherman savaged by 12-foot alligator on banks of popular lakeA fisherman proudly showed off his catch on the shoreline of a central Florida alligator-infested lake– before he was savaged by the 12-foot predator and submerged in the water.New York Post · 20 Oct, 09:43

In this story: Steven Hamilton · Lake Apopka · Dr. Bradford Memorial Park · Florida · Florida Wildlife Commission · Jason Handley

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem