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Alligator kills 71-year-old man fishing at pond in Florida
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- A 71-year-old man, Steve Hamilton, was killed by a nearly 12-foot alligator while fishing at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park in Winter Garden, Florida, an area known for its alligator population.
- The attack occurred around 5 p.m. when Hamilton was pulled into the water from the shore; authorities captured and removed an 11-foot, 8-inch alligator from the scene.
- This incident marks the second fatal alligator attack in Florida in 2023, following the June death of Brittany Clark, who was attacked while swimming near Orlando.
- Although alligator attacks are rare given the large population in Florida, there were 13 attacks in 2023 with two fatalities, and historically, there have been 32 fatal attacks since 1948, with no more than three fatalities in a single year.
- Officials emphasize the importance of respecting wildlife and maintaining a safe distance to prevent such tragic incidents.
