Alligator pulls boy into water near Disney resort

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (WFLA) – Rescue crews are continuing their search to find a 2-year-old boy pulled into the water by an alligator at a Disney resort overnight.

The boy and his family were relaxing along a sandy beach area at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort in Orlando around 9 p.m. when the incident happened, officials say. During a 6:30 a.m. press conference, Florida Fish and Wildlife officials say the child still has not been found, and it remains a “search and rescue” operation, holding out hope the boy could be found alive.

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said the boy was about a foot into the water when his father spotted the alligator. The lake is called Seven Seas Lagoon and flows into Bay Lake.

“The father entered the water, and he tried to grab the child, and was not successful in doing so. At some point I’m told the mother may have entered the water. So the parents diligently tried to get the child,” Sheriff Demings said. “They alerted a nearby lifeguard there in the area as well. But they were unsuccessful in their efforts.”

During the search efforts overnight, FWC officials pulled, and euthanized, four alligators from the water in order to check for evidence of the boy, however nothing was found.

Witnesses told authorities the alligator was between four and seven feet long.

The family was vacationing in Orlando from Nebraska. They also have a 4-year-old girl who is uninjured.

The only sign along the water is a “no swimming” sign.

An alligator trapper is currently searching for the animal. Crews are searching by air and on the water, and are using sonar technology. Dive teams are standing by. The sheriff said everyone is holding out hope and are working hard to find the boy alive. But at this point, the child has not been found.

Stay with KRON for updates on this breaking news story on-air, online, and on the KRON4 app.

Officials are also searching the perimeter of the water with flashlights where toddler was taken by #gator #Disney pic.twitter.com/Jh22S1kzhU
– Christal Hayes (@Journo_Christal) June 15, 2016

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There was a “movie night” outside on the beach tonight… Saying the alligator might have attacked the baby on the beach.
– ChristianTheMagician (@Menardness) June 15, 2016