Fatal Alligator Attack at Winter Garden Park Renews Safety Concerns

A 71-year-old man died Friday after an alligator attack at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park in Winter Garden, prompting local officials to urge people fishing or walking near Lake Apopka to remain vigilant and keep a safe distance from wildlife.

Authorities identified the victim as Steven Hamilton. He was fishing Friday night when the attack occurred. Wildlife wranglers later removed an alligator measuring nearly 12 feet from the area.

Jason Handley was at the park as emergency crews responded and said he saw officials pull the alligator from the water.

“When we got here, all the rescue people and everything was over on this side,” Handley said. “It had the drones, everything in the air.”

Handley said the alligator captured after the fatal attack was not the only large reptile he had seen at the park. He recalled another encounter while fishing nearby.

“I’m standing right here fishing, and he’s coming right here,” Handley said. “And I kind of stepped back to get away from him. And then he moved on out here.”

People who regularly visit the park and areas around Lake Apopka said alligators are a common sight. Winter Garden’s police chief said their presence in the area is not unusual.

“Lake Apopka has tons of alligators in it, so that’s not uncommon to see alligators in this part of town at all,” the chief said.

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Carol Johnson, a Winter Garden resident, said she was deeply saddened by the incident.

“I’m sad,” Johnson said. “And I hope that whatever happened, that that family, that whoever, that they’re OK.”

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says serious alligator injuries are rare. However, Winter Garden police urged anyone walking near Lake Apopka or fishing in the area to remain aware that alligators may be nearby, respect their space and maintain a safe distance.

The fatality is the second deadly alligator encounter reported in Central Florida this year. In June, a woman died after an alligator bit her while she was swimming in the Econlockhatchee River near Seminole County.

Some park visitors said they hope additional measures will be taken to help prevent future encounters.

“I believe they should do something about that,” one man said. “Maybe they’ll come take this bigger one out, due to what happened and the nature of the things that happened here yesterday.”

News 6 asked the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission how many alligators have been reported at the park and what measures could be taken to reduce the risk of future encounters. Officials said they plan to provide an update.