Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Father Reached Inside Alligator's Jaws In Failed Rescue Attempt At Disney, Report Shows

2 year-old Lane Graves died on June 14th as result of injuries sustained during an alligator attack at Disney's Grand Floridian Hotel.
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

The father of a toddler killed in an alligator attack at Walt Disney World reached his hands inside the animal's jaws as he tried to pry them open and free his son.

According to a final report released Monday by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the alligator sank teeth into 2-year-old Lane Graves' skull and neck before drowning him on June14th. The boy's submerged body was recovered the next day.

Lane was building sand castles at Disney's Grand Floridian hotel, using a bucket to scoop water from the Seven Seas Lagoon. Other children were there but not at the time of the attack.

One of two seven-foot-long female alligators is believed to be responsible. Six alligators were euthanized after the attack.

The family was on vacation from Nebraska. They have indicated they will not sue the resort.

Copyright 2020 WLRN 91.3 FM. To see more, visit .

Amy Green