“I Saw My Son in Him!”

Rescuers Say: “It Was a Miracle He Survived”

Desperate search efforts turned into a miraculous reunion for the parents of a missing little boy after an alligator snatched him from the shoreline of a lagoon at a central Florida park Tuesday night.

Just three days shy of his 3rd birthday, Lane Graves was playing in the shallow water when the 8-foot-long alligator attacked. The incident, which lasted only seconds, happened so quickly that his father, Matt Graves, could only watch in complete horror as the reptile dragged his son into the murky depths of the lagoon.

Family members frantically called 911 at around 6 p.m., according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Within minutes, 50 rescuers with sonar equipment, boats, and dive teams rushed to the scene of the attack.

Alligator Bit the Boy’s Head

As darkness fell over the area, rescuers continued their search while the boy’s parents anxiously waited for news. Then, at around 10:45 p.m., a trapper spotted the alligator about 15 yards from where the boy had disappeared.

With the help of a hook and snare, rescuers pulled the alligator to shore. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), rescuers immediately performed CPR on the boy and rushed him to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

The boy had sustained severe injuries, including a fractured skull and puncture wounds to his head, according to hospital officials. He also had several bite marks on his back and legs and underwent surgery shortly after arriving at the hospital.

“He’s a Fighter”

Despite the severity of his injuries, the boy was alert and responsive, and even asked for his favorite toy.

“He’s a fighter. We’re just so thankful he’s alive,” said family spokesperson Katie O’Connell. “We can’t wait to get him home and give him all the love and care he needs.”

The alligator was later euthanized and its stomach contents were examined by FWC officials. The necropsy confirmed that the alligator had bitten the boy’s head inside its mouth.

FWC officials said the boy’s survival is a testament to the quick response of rescuers and the boy’s own strength and resilience.