2 Year Old Dragged into Water by Gator at Disney Resort

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. A "no swimming" sign is not sufficient to cover the risks associated with alligator attacks. That child could have been killed simply walking near the edge of the water.

2. It's not reasonable to expect resort guests coming from Europe, Canada, or yes even Nebraska to know how prevelant alligators are, especially on Disney property where a beach has been set up.

3. Disney was grossly negligent and WILL pay up the a$$ including to this who just witnessed the attack. That's guaranteed.

I disagree. And, I would also say that anyone who doesn't know that Florida has alligators is an imbecile. It's practically the first thing you think of!

Here's the thing - even if you know "Florida has alligators" you may not be familiar with alligator behavior. If a sign says "no swimming", and you make the logic leap that you should not swim due to alligators, you might think your kid is safe WALKING IN LESS THAN A FOOT OF WATER, because that is not swimming. Maybe you think alligators are like sharks - and someone might not swim on account of a shark in the water, but they'd probably walk along the beach and not fear a shark attack. Signage was inadequate and inappropriate to the threat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are signs in the Lake that says "no swimming"

Yup. And they're spaced pretty closely apart - like 20 feet? You can see 2 signs in this picture.

How hard would it have been to add "Alligators" to that list. Or say "stay out of water" instead of "no swimming." I've been to that beach and kids are regularly wading and splashing in the water with resort staff around and never seen any of them intervene to stop it. It is quite reasonable to assume based on that sign that "swimming" = swimming. Not wading.

I don't know, because parents are supposed to be watching their kids? And the steep drop off is warning against wading, because both done by walking in.

I don't understand how some people can't draw simple conclusions by themselves.

That area doesn't even look like a place you can wade. You don't know the child waded in that spot. You don't know the terrain where he was splashing.

Actually, the area where the child was wading (pics of tents here http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/06/15/13/354D82C300000578-3642167-The_child_had_been_paddling_with_his_parents_and_four_year_old_s-a-14_1465992068960.jpg) looks even more inhospitable than these nearby signs.

The parents made a grave mistake - very sad, and still pretty relateable. But the parents made a grave mistake. I feel for them - we all make mistakes, but clearly the parents let their guard down too much.

You must be a troll b/c your conclusions make no sense. Or maybe you do not understand how fast, and cunning gators actually are. Do you know the same thing could have happened with the family 20 yards away from the water?
If the family is not aware that there are dangerous animals in the area, then how could you hold them responsible. Your conclusion only works if the child died from drowning in deep water. Not what happened.

Alligators are faster in water. While I wouldn't want to experience this first hand, it's harder for them to get you into the water from 20 yards away. If you're near the edge and they get you, your chances of survival are slim to none.

If you do not know gators are in the water, or even on the premises, then why would you worry about that?

[Anonymous]

I wonder if a venomous snake had bitten the child if we'd be having this conversation. That's as likely, if not more, than an alligator attack.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are signs in the Lake that says "no swimming"

Yup. And they're spaced pretty closely apart - like 20 feet? You can see 2 signs in this picture.

Again folks, that sign does not imply that you: 1) cannot wade in the waters' edge, or 2) there are alligators in the water.

Yes, for people who don't understand that wading is NOT the same as swimming, in Hawaii for example, they have specific signs to tell you to keep out of the water all together:



Even if you knew there were alligators in Florida, there was no way for the family to anticipate this.

None of those signs say no wading/keep out. So, I'm guessing the waders would still head in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. A "no swimming" sign is not sufficient to cover the risks associated with alligator attacks. That child could have been killed simply walking near the edge of the water.

2. It's not reasonable to expect resort guests coming from Europe, Canada, or yes even Nebraska to know how prevelant alligators are, especially on Disney property where a beach has been set up.

3. Disney was grossly negligent and WILL pay up the a$$ including to this who just witnessed the attack. That's guaranteed.

I disagree. And, I would also say that anyone who doesn't know that Florida has alligators is an imbecile. It's practically the first thing you think of!

Here's the thing - even if you know "Florida has alligators" you may not be familiar with alligator behavior. If a sign says "no swimming", and you make the logic leap that you should not swim due to alligators, you might think your kid is safe WALKING IN LESS THAN A FOOT OF WATER, because that is not swimming. Maybe you think alligators are like sharks - and someone might not swim on account of a shark in the water, but they'd probably walk along the beach and not fear a shark attack. Signage was inadequate and inappropriate to the threat.

The sign says "Steep drop off" - that means no walking in. Ie, no wading. How is that not completely obvious?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are signs in the Lake that says "no swimming"

Yup. And they're spaced pretty closely apart - like 20 feet? You can see 2 signs in this picture.

How hard would it have been to add "Alligators" to that list. Or say "stay out of water" instead of "no swimming." I've been to that beach and kids are regularly wading and splashing in the water with resort staff around and never seen any of them intervene to stop it. It is quite reasonable to assume based on that sign that "swimming" = swimming. Not wading.

I don't know, because parents are supposed to be watching their kids? And the steep drop off is warning against wading, because both done by walking in.

I don't understand how some people can't draw simple conclusions by themselves.

That area doesn't even look like a place you can wade. You don't know the child waded in that spot. You don't know the terrain where he was splashing.

Actually, the area where the child was wading (pics of tents here http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/06/15/13/354D82C300000578-3642167-The_child_had_been_paddling_with_his_parents_and_four_year_old_s-a-14_1465992068960.jpg) looks even more inhospitable than these nearby signs.

The parents made a grave mistake - very sad, and still pretty relateable. But the parents made a grave mistake. I feel for them - we all make mistakes, but clearly the parents let their guard down too much.

You must be a troll b/c your conclusions make no sense. Or maybe you do not understand how fast, and cunning gators actually are. Do you know the same thing could have happened with the family 20 yards away from the water?
If the family is not aware that there are dangerous animals in the area, then how could you hold them responsible. Your conclusion only works if the child died from drowning in deep water. Not what happened

And for those arguing that the parents should have known FL has gators: That would work if the family were touring the everglades, or some other wildlife area. This was a private resort that is responsible for managing its own property. If there is a threat that gators end up on its property then they need to have signs noting that. When we go to Hilton Head resorts, there are clear signs that note beware of gators, and do not feed gators.

Wildlife animals don't say in place. Hard to do on land, even harder in dark waters.

[Anonymous]

All the people who already knew Disney is infested with gators:
It's a white sand beach that reaches the water. The child was one foot from the sand, in inches of water. Had he been 12 inches back, standing on the sand, watching the movie, the fireworks, whathaveyou, and been attacked by the very same alligator, would you still blame the parents? At what point is Disney culpable?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. A "no swimming" sign is not sufficient to cover the risks associated with alligator attacks. That child could have been killed simply walking near the edge of the water.

2. It's not reasonable to expect resort guests coming from Europe, Canada, or yes even Nebraska to know how prevelant alligators are, especially on Disney property where a beach has been set up.

3. Disney was grossly negligent and WILL pay up the a$$ including to this who just witnessed the attack. That's guaranteed.

I disagree. And, I would also say that anyone who doesn't know that Florida has alligators is an imbecile. It's practically the first thing you think of!

Jeff, can someone PLEASE get this troll off the board???

There is more than one person arguing this point. What a sore loser/debater you are!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. A "no swimming" sign is not sufficient to cover the risks associated with alligator attacks. That child could have been killed simply walking near the edge of the water.

2. It's not reasonable to expect resort guests coming from Europe, Canada, or yes even Nebraska to know how prevelant alligators are, especially on Disney property where a beach has been set up.

3. Disney was grossly negligent and WILL pay up the a$$ including to this who just witnessed the attack. That's guaranteed.

I disagree. And, I would also say that anyone who doesn't know that Florida has alligators is an imbecile. It's practically the first thing you think of!

+1

It's basically the mascot. I'm not from FL, I went there only once as a young child. And even I know this. I don't know how people don't know alligators aren't everywhere in Fl.

Hey morons, knowing that alligators exist in Florida and knowing the potential exists for them to snatch up your two year old at a manicured Disney beach are two completely separate things. Are you Disney lawyers or just southern slow?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the people who already knew Disney is infested with gators:
It's a white sand beach that reaches the water. The child was one foot from the sand, in inches of water. Had he been 12 inches back, standing on the sand, watching the movie, the fireworks, whathaveyou, and been attacked by the very same alligator, would you still blame the parents? At what point is Disney culpable?

To me it would be going past the signs. That seems like a very clear line of demarcation.

[Anonymous]

Another pic of the beach:

https://sheila0gh.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/imgp9761.jpg

If it was such common knowledge that alligators were there why let any children near the edge such as the one pictured here? Looks to me like everyone thought it was pretty safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the people who already knew Disney is infested with gators:
It's a white sand beach that reaches the water. The child was one foot from the sand, in inches of water. Had he been 12 inches back, standing on the sand, watching the movie, the fireworks, whathaveyou, and been attacked by the very same alligator, would you still blame the parents? At what point is Disney culpable?

Why is anyone culpable? Tragic incidents happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. A "no swimming" sign is not sufficient to cover the risks associated with alligator attacks. That child could have been killed simply walking near the edge of the water.

2. It's not reasonable to expect resort guests coming from Europe, Canada, or yes even Nebraska to know how prevelant alligators are, especially on Disney property where a beach has been set up.

3. Disney was grossly negligent and WILL pay up the a$$ including to this who just witnessed the attack. That's guaranteed.

I disagree. And, I would also say that anyone who doesn't know that Florida has alligators is an imbecile. It's practically the first thing you think of!

+1

It's basically the mascot. I'm not from FL, I went there only once as a young child. And even I know this. I don't know how people don't know alligators aren't everywhere in Fl.

Hey morons, knowing that alligators exist in Florida and knowing the potential exists for them to snatch up your two year old at a manicured Disney beach are two completely separate things. Are you Disney lawyers or just southern slow?

Name-calling is so mature. I totally believe you now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think Disney knew there was a chance of gators being there and knew that, if they put a sign up warning of that, people would not want to stay there. I wouldn't.

That's asinine.

Really? See the 12:17 post about marketing vs legal. That is what I am talking about.

"No swimming, steep drop off" does not say to me, "An alligator may come up and snatch your child if he is dipping his toes in the water 12" away from the sand."

To me (and I think most people with half a working brain) the signs mean "stay out of the water due to various risks."

Those risk could be a number of things:
- drowning
- gators or other wildlife
- bacteria, brain eating amoeba, chemicals, etc
- sharp rocks
- etc
- or all of the above

Most people don't need it to be itemized. They see a sign like that, and they know to stay out of the water. It doesn't look like play-able water to begin with, but the signs reinforce that. It's basic common sense.

There is a huge difference between a "keep out" sign and a "no swimming, deep water" sign. Again, you must be a troll.

Really? OMG

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How dumb are these parents? Who in the United States doesn't know that ANY body of water in FL (besides the ocean), no matter how pretty or inviting it may seem likely has gators and/or venomous things. I love that we're splitting hairs between swimming and wading, when this child shouldn't have been touching water, period. Even if the signs don't say it - why risk it?

Wonder how close the dad was to the kid - bc I would think a dad standing right there could grab the kid under the armpits end pull hard enough to pull him out. Though I guess that also depends on the gators grip.

Sad but I don't want to see Disney paying out huge sums here.

Okay, for one thing, if you believe that every single person in the US is aware of the dangers of alligators in Florida, you are a moron. Full stop.

Secondly, even if this kid was standing 12 inches away, not touching the water, the alligator still could have gotten him.

Really? I would wager that people who don't know about gators in Florida are the idiots.

Yes, I know that you would wager that. Because you don't know shit about how the world works.

We're not talking about the world. We're talking about the US. And if the US school system hasn't taught families well off enough to visit Disney that there are gators in Florida, they're morons.

I am highly educated. I live in New England and visit beaches nearly every day. I am aware that alligators live in Florida, and specifically in the Everglades. I would never dream that there are alligators at the shoreline of a Disney advertised "white sands" beach where families are encouraged to play and watch fireworks. Absent signage saying "No Wading" due to bacteria, alligators, whatever, my 2 year old would certainly have been allowed to go in the water up to his ankles as I stood nearby.

There but by the grace of God go I. Just horrifying.

This is what confuses me. Why is Disney somehow separate from Florida? Is it not in Florida? How would you reasonably expect them to ensure there is no wildlife in their waters? Seriously. How?

We all know how Disney is so meticulous about controlling things, creating a sterile fantasy, that I would think Disney would not deign to allow wildlife in its man-made lagoon next to a man-made lake at a family resort.

Florida wildlife and game commissioner has stated that Disney was very responsible in removing alligators and working with his agency. Sheriff said the same thing. If there is a trial, these two would be strong witnesses for Disney. I don't envision a quickie settlement so many of you imagine. Florida also has a comparable negligence defense, which the jury can determines if parents were also negligent in any way. If so, how much were the negligent.