Most Viewed

World

Alligator drags boy into water near Orlando Disney resort

BBC Online

Wed Jun 15, 2016 01:10 PM Last update on: Wed Jun 15, 2016 02:35 PM

An alligator swims in the waters at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach, Florida on 21 April 2016. Spring is nesting season in South Florida and over 140 species of birds have been spotted in the wetlands. Photo: RHONA WISE / AFP

Florida police are searching for a two-year-old boy who was dragged into water by an alligator near a Disney resort.

The boy was on the shoreline of the Seven Seas Lagoon by the Disney Grand Floridian Resort and Spa in Orlando when he was dragged away late on Tuesday, officials said.

For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.

The boy's father entered the water and tried in vain to grab him from the alligator, Sheriff Jerry Demings said.

Fifty police and wildlife experts were searching for the boy, he said.

The family with three children from the state of Nebraska were relaxing near the shore of the lagoon when the incident happened at 21:16 local time (01:16 GMT), the sheriff said.

The Grand Floridian is a luxury resort owned by Disney and is located near Disney's Magic Kingdom Park.

A Disney spokeswoman said the company was "devastated" by the incident.