2 year old boy snatched by alligator at Disney World

[Hockeyguy15]

If I see a no swimming sign (even in Florida) my mind doesn't jump to worst case scenario of gators, I would probably think the water wasn't safe to consume or something like that. If there are gators living there they should have more warning than just a no swimming sign.

Having said that, if it said no swimming would I let my kid in it even if only a few inches? Probably not. This was a huge (but honest) mistake that the parents will regret for the rest of their lives.

[MrMastodonFarm]

The family is from Nebraska, the thought of an alligator attack was probably so foreign to them they it didn't cross their mind once.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Additionally, a "no swimming" sign is most likely a liability issue and, most likely, has nothing to do with gators.

[ken0042]

This is a general warning, if you cannot make your point without name calling, please do not post.

[Coach]

Although I agree it's a random tragedy, if I was about to swim in a place that had a sign saying 'no swimming', I probably wouldn't swim. ESPECIALLY in a foreign place.

"People told me no to swim in this 'Amazon' river. Meh. Looks refreshing."

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Really? So you would allow your 2 year old to wade in a lagoon where signs are posted saying no swimming and it is pretty damn obvious gators live in Florida and lagoons. Is that what you are implying? Really? I understand the cool thing is to be all bleeding hearts for any parent that loses as child even if their own stupidity was a factor in the child's death. I get that when pure negligence causes a tragic death most people don't care about that fact, it is feel bad for the family and let's turn a blind eye to why this happened and the fact it should never have if people were more responsible and careful. I see this day after day in my line of work, it is always someone else's fault or nobody's.

I'm usually the first one to jump on idiot parents for letting their kids run around the gorilla pit without supervision but even a pompous judgemental arse like me can't fault the dad on this one, 'no swimming' doesn't mean 'no going anywhere near the water, paddling or generally acting like this is a safe beach'.
Outside of Florida 'no swimming' means the waters likely to drown you, not that it'll jump out and eat you.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

The family is from Nebraska, the thought of an alligator attack was probably so foreign to them they it didn't cross their mind once.

Yeah because alligators are so common here in Canada. That's why we know they are everywhere. It's not like every alligator video I've ever seen online was from Florida or anything.

Would it have been fine if they went to southwest Asia and contracted Malaria? Well they are from Nebraska so the thought of taking Malaria pills before leaving didn't cross their mind once.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

There is no swimming because gators get into those areas all the time. How does a 2 year old get grabbed by an alligator unless he is not being watched?

Do you have kids? Because even when you're watching a toddler, they often toddle 10 or 20 feet away. The only way you can prevent that is to be one of those freaks who put their kids in a leash.

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Ok, why was the kid in the water? He is 2, in a lagoon, where there are no swimming signs posted everywhere. So why is this child in the water?

Walking in 1 ft of water =/= swimming. I imagine at a place like that, kids routinely walk along the shore with their feet in the water. And their parents are keeping an eye on them from 5 to 20 ft away, which is close enough to pick them up if they fall in the water, but apparently not close enough to prevent a primordial predator from lunging out of the murk and snatching it up. Which is an eventuality that probably didn't cross the minds of more than a fraction of the tens of thousands of people who take their families to Disneyworld every year.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by nik-

You don't need to be a bleeding heart, just don't be a grandstanding, judgemental dick.

Sure. People like you who pro create lead to stories like this one. I deal with your type all the time, parent of the year!

[taco.vidal]

http://m.palmbeachpost.com/news/news...disney-/nrgS3/
So they found the kids dead body. 5 alligators killed and still not sure if they need to kill more.
I havent read enough details about this particular lagoon or incident. However, a fre preliminary points:
-how do you get to florida and not know that gators are everywhere especially bodies of water including swimming pools. A lagoon shouldnt be a surprise.
-I guess "no swimming" may not be specific enough. Since the kid doesnt know how to swim, he cant be breaking the no swimming rule.

I look forward for more details to come out and to see how Disney handles this.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Do you have kids? Because even when you're watching a toddler, they often toddle 10 or 20 feet away. The only way you can prevent that is to be one of those freaks who put their kids in a leash.



Walking in 1 ft of water =/= swimming. I imagine at a place like that, kids routinely walk along the shore with their feet in the water. And their parents are keeping an eye on them from 5 to 20 ft away, which is close enough to pick them up if they fall in the water, but apparently not close enough to prevent a primordial predator from lunging out of the murk and snatching it up. Which is an eventuality that probably didn't cross the minds of more than a fraction of the tens of thousands of people who take their families to Disneyworld every year.

Again, are you saying you would allow your child to wade in a lagoon in Florida that had signs posted No Swimming? Don't argue it or change it, just answer it truthfully.

[KelVarnsen]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Sure. People like you who pro create lead to stories like this one. I deal with your type all the time, parent of the year!

Seriously, step back from your keyboard and walk away.

[EldrickOnIce]

You are not in the everglades, you are in the Magic Kingdom.
Heartbreaking

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by taco.vidal

http://m.palmbeachpost.com/news/news...disney-/nrgS3/
So they found the kids dead body. 5 alligators killed and still not sure if they need to kill more.
I havent read enough details about this particular lagoon or incident. However, a fre preliminary points:
-how do you get to florida and not know that gators are everywhere especially bodies of water including swimming pools. A lagoon shouldnt be a surprise.
-I guess "no swimming" may not be specific enough. Since the kid doesnt know how to swim, he cant be breaking the no swimming rule.

I look forward for more details to come out and to see how Disney handles this.

So 5 alligators have been killed for being alligators?

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Sure. People like you who pro create...

What if they only amateur create?

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Sure. People like you who pro create lead to stories like this one. I deal with your type all the time, parent of the year!

What type do you deal with all the time exactly?

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

Seriously, step back from your keyboard and walk away.

You are right. I just know the type, the parent that always keeps a half assed eye on their kid and then when a tragedy happens it is always someone or something else to blame. I am out of this discussion. You all win, the parents had absolutely nothing to do with at all, despite all the common sense and signs there was no way to prevent this.

[V]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

Seriously, step back from your keyboard and walk away.

The dude's a park ranger. He knows what he's talking about.

[The Yen Man]

I think there's a difference between a "No Swimming" sign and "Stay Out of the Water" sign. The family made an honest mistake, thinking it was ok for their kid to wade in light water.

You would think some posters here would just have a little empathy. Not every situation needs to degenerate into a finger pointing exercise on who should be blamed for the accident.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Sure. People like you who pro create lead to stories like this one. I deal with your type all the time, parent of the year!

ROFL

Dude, we're all so impressed with how hard core you are.

I can only imagine how unbearable being his kid would be. Helicopter parent of the century right there.