A MASSIVE alligator snatched a two-year-old boy as he played in front of his parents at a Disney hotel near the Magic Kingdom.
The tot was wading at the edge of the Seven Seas Lagoon, near Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, when the 7ft creature emerged from the water and dragged him in.
The boy's dad dived into the lake and wrestled the gator in a desperate bid to prize his son from its jaws.
But the alligator escaped – pulling the child into the lagoon.
Large and active scene here at #Disney's Grand Floridian resort after a toddler was dragged into the waterpic.twitter.com/5yhJ5vZ9LY— Christal Hayes (@Journo_Christal) June 15, 2016
The lagoon has been cordoned off and more than 50 police officers in boats and a helicopter are searching for the boy and the alligator.
The child was last seen at about 9.30pm on Tuesday local time – 2.30am on Wednesday GMT – and fears grow for his safety.
Sheriff Jerry Dennings told a press conference: "As a father and a grandfather, we are going to hope for the best in these circumstances.
"But based on my 35 years' law enforcement experience, we know we have some challenges ahead of us."
Officials are also searching the perimeter of the water with flashlights where toddler was taken by #gator #Disneypic.twitter.com/Jh22S1kzhU— Christal Hayes (@Journo_Christal) June 15, 2016
The boy's parents and their three children – who are visiting the hotel from Nebraska – were relaxing on the sandy beach area next to the lagoon on Tuesday evening.
The tot was splashing about a foot into the water – right in front of his parents – when the alligator pounced.
Sheriff Dennings said: "The mother and father were nearby and the child was playing in the water – just a foot or so into the water – and the alligator came up and attacked.
"The father at some point struggled and tried to get his son but was not successful."
Asked if the brave dad tried to wrestle his son from the gator's jaws, Sheriff Dennings replied: "That's what you are hearing."
They're saying that a 2 year old was eaten by an alligator... Jesus. pic.twitter.com/Pn6baw4WGQ— ChristianTheMagician (@Menardness) June 15, 2016
The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is an upscale luxury resort owned by Disney.
It is one of three hotels on the monorail line, just one stop away from the Magic Kingdom Park.
Just overheard a group talking about how the father was wrestling with he alligator.. This just gets worse and worse— ChristianTheMagician (@Menardness) June 15, 2016
A Disney spokesman said: "Everyone here at Walt Disney World is devastated by this tragic accident.
"Our thoughts are with the family.
"We are doing everything we can to help the family and assist the law enforcement."
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