THE TAKEAWAY
WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – Tragedy has unfolded in a community in Florida after a 71-year-old man was attacked and killed by an alligator while fishing on Friday evening.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was able to identify the victim as Steven Hamilton, of Winter Garden, after emergency crews tried to rescue the man from the water along the shore of Lake Apopka.
This was especially difficult because active alligators were in the water nearby.
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According to the Winter Garden Police Department, the nearly 12-foot-long alligator was trapped and killed following the attack.
Winter Garden Police Chief Michael Mason noted that the lake has many alligators, as these creatures are opportunistic feeders.
Florida ranks first in the country for alligator attacks, and researchers found that 96% of recorded incidents result from human inattention or risk-taking before the bite.
The police chief told FOX News Digital that the lake "has tons of alligators in it" and authorities weren’t aware before the attack that one was near the shore.
This is the second deadly alligator attack to happen in Florida this year, according to officials. American alligators can be found all over the Sunshine State, although attacks are rare.
"Always be aware of your surroundings. Always be safe," Mason said. "Wildlife: Respect it. Keep your distance. It looks like it's docile, it looks like your Florida emblem, but it can be dangerous."
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In June, a 31-year-old woman named Brittany Clark was killed by an alligator near her home in Oviedo. And in May of last year, 61-year-old Cynthia Diekema was killed after an alligator tipped her out of her canoe, authorities said.
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