#1:Florida Man Attacked by Alligator One Hour from Where 2-Year-Old Boy Was Killed Last Week

invested blog - #1:Florida Man Attacked by Alligator One Hour from Where 2-Year-Old Boy Was Killed Last Week


people.com An alligator attacked a Florida man Tuesday evening in Bushnell, about an hour away from where a 2-year-old was killed by a gator at a Disney World resort last week, according to the local sheriff's office.


Officials from the Sumter County Sheriff's Office responded to the call at approximately 6:30 p.m. and found the 58-year-old man lying on the ground about five feet from the animal, Click Orlando reports.

Police confirmed the man was airlifted to Ocala Regional Hospital with injuries to his right leg. His current condition is not known.

The 8-feet 6-inches long, 300-pound alligator was euthanized by a Florida Wildlife Commission gator trapper.

The attack occured the same day Lane Graves, the 2-year-old boy who was pulled into a lake and killed by an alligator at Disney World's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa last week, was laid to rest in his hometown of Elkhorn, Nebraska.

Lane's parents, Matthew and Melissa Graves, say they are overwhelmed by the support they've received from around the country since the tragic loss of their son.

RELATED VIDEO: Parents of Lane Graves, the Boy Killed by Alligator Set up Foundation in His Honor

"Melissa and I continue to deal with the loss of our beloved boy, Lane, and are overwhelmed with support and love we have received from family and friends in our community as well as from around the country," the family said in a statement.

"Neither Melissa, myself or anyone from our family will be speaking publicly; we simply cannot at this time," the statement continued.

The grieving parents have also set up a memorial fund in their son's honor.

"After the tragic loss of our beloved 2-year-old son, Lane Thomas, we have created the Lane Thomas Foundation to honor his memory," they said in a statement on the foundation's site. "Losing Lane has broken our hearts in the worst possible way. While there is no way to mend our hearts, we can do good work in his honor."

There are several gator attacks in Florida each year, according to statistics from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. In 2015, there were 9 major attacks, including one that was fatal.