Man fishing when attacked, killed by nearly 12-foot alligator at Winter Garden park
Man killed in suspected alligator attack in Winter Garden
A man was killed in an alligator attack in Winter Garden, where authorities say he may have been fishing at the time, according to a report by FOX 35.
WINTER GARDEN, Fla. - A 71-year-old man was killed after an alligator attacked him while he was fishing in a park on Friday evening in Winter Garden, according to the Winter Garden Captain Michael Mason.
Man attacked, killed by nearly 12-foot alligator
What we know:
The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) identified the man as Steven Hamilton, of Winter Garden.
Emergency crews responded to the park around 5:20 p.m. on Friday after receiving a 911 call about a possible alligator attack, said Winter Garden Fire Chief Jose Gainza. Chief Gainza said crews were attempting to rescue the man from the water, but it was difficult because there were active alligators nearby.
Around 7 p.m. Chief Gainza said the man's body had been recovered from the water.
Winter Garden Police Chief Michael Mason said a nearly 12-foot alligator, believed to be the one that attacked the man, had been trapped, captured, and killed. FWC later clarified that the length of the alligator was 11.8 feet long.
Both Winter Garden police and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) are investigating the attack.
Dr. Bradford Memorial Park has direct water access to Lake Apopka, known for having one of the largest American alligator populations in Central Florida, according to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
What they're saying:
"The FWC extends its deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of the victim during this difficult time."
Alligators in Florida
Big picture view:
Florida is home to the American alligator, which can live in any body of water, including rivers, streams, lakes, swamps, and marshes, according to the FWC. They can be found in all 67 counties in Florida.
FWC: Alligator bites in Florida
By the numbers:
While alligator attacks against humans are considered to be rare, they can happen. The FWC keeps track of unprovoked alligator backs each year, dating back to 1948.
According to the FWC's data, there have been a total of 500 alligator bites against humans since 1948, of which 32 of them were deadly.
Alligator deaths by year
- 2025: 13 total bites — 2 deaths, 8 major, 5 minor
- 2024: 11 total bites — 9 major, 2 minor, 0 deaths
- 2023: 23 total bites — 2 deaths, 19 major, 5 minor
- 2022: 11 total bites — 2 deaths, 9 major, 2 minor
- 2021: 9 total bites — 7 major, 2 minor, 0 deaths
Brittany Clark, boyfriend, best friend stopped to swim after a long hike, officials say
Why you should care:
In June, 31-year-old Brittany Clark died after she was attacked while swimming in a river at the Little Big Econ State Forest. Officials said she was in about 3 feet of water when the alligator attacked her.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered by Winter Garden Fire Chief Jose Gainza, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, and from previous reporting by FOX 35 News.