Man killed by alligator while fishing at Winter Garden park

Emergency crews responded to Dr. Bradford Memorial Park in Winter Garden, Florida, around 5:20 p.m. on Friday after receiving reports of a potential alligator attack. Officials stated that a body was pulled from the water following the incident. The victim has been identified as a 71-year-old man who was killed during the encounter.

Details of the Incident

Winter Garden Fire Chief José Gainza told FOX 35 Orlando that emergency personnel arrived at the scene shortly after the initial 911 call. By approximately 7 p.m., crews had successfully recovered the man's body from the water. According to officials, the victim was fishing in the park when the attack occurred.

Gainza noted that rescue efforts were challenging due to the presence of other alligators nearby. Despite attempts by emergency responders to save the individual, the situation proved fatal. The 12-foot alligator involved in the incident was subsequently killed by officials on site.

Alligator Activity in Florida

The American alligator is native to Florida and can be found in any body of water across the state, including rivers, streams, lakes, swamps, and marshes. According to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), these animals are present in all 67 counties, as we reported in Orlando Area Residents Warned After 8.

While attacks on humans are considered rare, they do occur periodically. The FWC tracks unprovoked alligator bites annually, with records dating back to 1948. Data indicates there have been a total of 500 alligator bites involving humans since that year, resulting in 32 fatalities.

Recent statistics from the commission show varying levels of activity over the last few years. In 2025, there were 13 reported bites, including two deaths. The previous year, 2024, saw 11 total bites with no fatalities recorded. Historical data continues to highlight that while encounters are infrequent, they remain a part of living in Florida.