It was movie night at the hotel, and the sheriff said the family was vacationing from Nebraska and had been in the area since June 12th. The cause of the child’s death remains under investigation by the county’s medical examiner’s office.
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Although Lane’s body was found Wednesday, authorities have not definitively identified the alligator that dragged him to his death.
All beaches at Disney’s Orlando resorts have been closed following the tragedy.
Since the accident, Disney has said they will be putting up more “alligator” warning signs.
While Disney had posted “no swimming” signs at the lake where the boy died, it did not have alligator warning signs, which are common around golf courses, ponds and public parks all over Florida.
“All of our beaches are now closed, and we are conducting a swift and thorough review of all of our processes and protocols”, Walt Disney World Resort Vice President Jacquee Wahler said in a statement Thursday.
Some, however, say those actions aren’t enough and wonder why those “No Swimming” signs didn’t also include warnings about alligators.
In a statement, Matt and Melissa Graves of Elkhorn, Nebraska, said words can’t express the shock and grief their family is experiencing.
The mother also tried to rescue the boy and a nearby lifeguard was told of the attack, Demings said.
The boy’s father fought the alligator – estimated to be between 1.2 to 2.1 meters long, according to reports – but the animal and child disappeared underwater, officials said. “We stand ready to assist him, his wife and family as they grieve the loss of Lane”. Disney says it is reviewing its signage, but it does have an open permit to pull alligators from the water when they’re spotted. “On behalf of everyone at Disney, we offer our deepest sympathies”.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Disney removes alligators from the water routinely.
Management had been warned by park staff that guests at the $2,000-a-night waterfront Bora Bora Bungalows were feeding the alligators, but ignored requests to build protective fences, a park insider said, according to TheWrap.
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Disney spokespeople could not immediately be reached on Thursday for further comment.
