Fisherman, 71, Slipped While Fleeing 12-Foot Alligator Before Fatal Attack — Witness Reveals Chilling New Details of His Final Moments
Steven Hamilton, 71, poses with his catch on the banks of Lake Apopka in Dr Bradford Memorial Park in central Florida, prior to being killed by an alligator.Steven Hamilton / Facebook
It is unclear whether the person is a man or a woman, or possibly wearing a disguise (Picture: Metropolitan Police)
A 71-year-old Florida fisherman who was killed by a massive alligator reportedly tried to escape after hearing the predator approaching, only to lose his footing seconds before the animal dragged him into a lake. A witness has now revealed disturbing new details about the attack and the desperate attempts to save him.
Steven Hamilton, a well-known Orlando musician and experienced fisherman, was enjoying an evening at Lake Apopka in Dr. Bradford Memorial Park on Friday, October 16, when the tragedy unfolded.
A Final Photograph Before Disaster
Hamilton had just caught a bass and was proudly posing for a photograph near the water’s edge.
But according to witness Jason Handley, 37, the peaceful moment was interrupted when Hamilton heard an enormous alligator emerging from the lake.
Realising the danger, he turned and attempted to run.
However, as he tried to escape, Hamilton reportedly slipped on the shoreline — giving the approaching predator an opportunity to attack.
The alligator seized his left leg and dragged him into the water.
The animal was estimated to be nearly 12 feet long.
Witnesses Tried Desperately to Help
The gator was trapped by FWC officials and killed.WPBF 25 News / YouTube
Handley told reporters that several people attempted to intervene as the attack unfolded.
They reportedly threw traffic cones towards the alligator in an effort to distract it and help Hamilton escape.
But the enormous reptile had already pulled him into the lake.
Witnesses were reluctant to enter the water because of the large number of alligators known to inhabit Lake Apopka.
According to the report, the lake is home to more than 4,600 alligators, including some exceptionally large animals.
Hamilton’s body was recovered approximately two hours after the attack, at around 7 p.m.
Medical Examiner Reveals Injuries
An autopsy reportedly found that Hamilton sustained blunt-force injuries to his leg during the encounter.
The findings were attributed to the Orange-Osceola medical examiner’s office.
Following the attack, wildlife officials captured the enormous alligator believed to have been involved.
The reptile was subsequently killed.
A Disturbing Warning Days Earlier
Handley also revealed that he had encountered an alligator at the same park just days before Hamilton’s death.
He claimed the animal came close enough to his foot that he struck it on the head with a fishing net.
The experience left him concerned about the danger posed by large alligators in an area regularly used by fishermen.
He recalled warning his girlfriend that someone could eventually be attacked.
Those words have taken on a particularly haunting significance following Hamilton’s death.
Remembering a Beloved Local Musician
Hamilton was known throughout the Orlando music community and had spent years performing and sharing his passion for music.
Friends remembered him as cheerful, friendly and enthusiastic about fishing.
Handley described Hamilton as someone who always had something positive to say and loved showing others the fish he had caught.
His sudden death has devastated those who knew him.
What makes the tragedy especially heartbreaking is that Hamilton reportedly recognised the danger and tried to escape, but a single fall left him vulnerable to the approaching alligator.
For his loved ones, the final photograph of him smiling with his catch has become a painful reminder of a peaceful afternoon that ended in unimaginable circumstances.