At Disney World, An Alligator Dragged A 2-Year-Old Into Lagoon

A parent's worst nightmare became reality at a Walt Disney Co DIS hotel in Orlando, Florida, when an alligator grabbed a 2-year-old and physically dragged him into a lagoon on Tuesday.

The boy was waiting near the shore of a man-made lake in the luxury Disney resort before being dragged by the alligator. The father jumped into the water and tried to pull his son away from the alligator but failed to do so.

The incident occurred shortly after 9:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday. A search for the boy is underway Wednesday morning.

Disney is fully co-operating with authorities.

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"Everyone here at the Walt Disney World Resort is devastated by this tragic accident," Walt Disney World Resort's Vice President of Communications Jacquee Wahler told media outlets during a briefing. "Our thoughts our prayers are with the family. We are helping the family and doing everything we can to assist law enforcement."

According to CNN, the local county's Sheriff Jerry Demings was quoted as saying, "The sad reality of it is it's been several hours and we're not likely going to recover a live body."

Authorities will continue with a search until the boy is found or recovered.