Authorities are searching a lake at a Walt Disney World resort for a 2-year-old boy who was dragged into the water by an alligator Tuesday evening.

Orlando, Fla., officials said the unidentified boy was relaxing alongside the Seven Seas Lagoon at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa with his family when the alligator pulled him into the water.

The boy's father attempted to fight off the alligator but was unsuccessful, said Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings. The boy, his parents and siblings were vacationing at the resort from Nebraska, officials said.

"Everyone here at the Walt Disney World Resort is devastated by this tragic accident," said spokeswoman Jacquee Wahler. "Our thoughts are with the family. We are helping the family and doing everything we can to assist law enforcement."

More than 50 law-enforcement personnel are searching the lake just days after area officials grappled with the shooting at Orlando's Pulse nightclub, a rampage that left 50 people dead in the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. Mr. Demings said his staff was "very resilient" despite the stress of the past few days and committed to finding the boy.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is also on site with an alligator trapper, said Chad Weber, an officer with the commission. Sonar equipment is being used to scan the lake and a dive team is on standby.

The search for the boy began around 9:30 p.m. EDT on Tuesday evening. At the time of Mr. Demings's late-night press conference, officials had been searching for about four hours, he said.

The boy and his family were on a sandy beach area alongside the lake, with a baby playpen set up. The boy is believed to have been wading in shallow water near the lake's edge when the alligator attacked. Witnesses described the alligator as 4 to 7 feet long, Mr. Demings said.

Authorities haven't received complaints of nuisance alligators in the area, Mr. Demings said. He described the lake area being searched as "fairly sizable" and said he had no record of previous alligator attacks there.

"We're not leaving until we recover the child," said Mr. Demings.

The Seven Seas Lagoon is a man-made lake that abuts the Grand Floridian Resort and other Disney World attractions including the Magic Kingdom. It covers about 200 acres and reaches depths of about 14 feet, according to numerous fan websites about Walt Disney World. The lake is primarily used for fishing, boating and ferry rides to various parts of the park, though no swimming is allowed.

Write to Erich Schwartzel at erich.schwartzel@wsj.com

 

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

June 15, 2016 08:15 ET (12:15 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Feb 2024 to Mar 2024 Click Here for more Walt Disney Charts.
Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2023 to Mar 2024 Click Here for more Walt Disney Charts.