The Brief Emergency crews responded to Dr. Bradford Memorial Park in Winter Garden, Florida, around 5:20 p.m. Friday after reports of an alligator attack. Officials said a body was pulled from the water after the attack. The person, later identified as a 71-year-old man, was killed. Alligators are found in all 67 Florida counties. Since 1948, the state has recorded 500 alligator bites involving humans, including 32 fatalities, though attacks are considered rare.



Officials said a body was pulled from the water after an alligator attack at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park in Winter Garden in Florida, according to Winter Garden Fire Chief José Gainza.

Emergency crews responded Friday, after receiving reports of someone potentially being attacked by an alligator.

Person potentially attacked by alligator

What we know:

The victim was killed by the alligator and later identified as a 71-year-old man.

Gainza told FOX 35 Orlando that a 911 call was reported around 5:20 p.m. local time at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park in Winter Garden.

Around 7 p.m. Gainza said the man's body had been recovered from the water. He said the man was fishing at the park when the attack happened.

FOX 35 Orlando crew on the scene at Winter Park in Florida. (Credit: FOX 35)

Officials said the 12-foot alligator was killed.

Earlier, crews attempted to rescue the person, but said that it was a challenge because there were alligators nearby.

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 Florida Fish   Wildlife Conservation Commission. They can be found in all 67 counties 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.

2025: 13 total bites - 2 deaths, 8 major, 5 minor

2024: 11 total bite
#fox32chicago   #crimewatchchicago