Four alligators killed in search for boy, 2, dragged into lagoon at Disney World

FOUR alligators have been killed and will be searched after a two-year-old boy was snatched as he played in front of his parents at a Disney hotel near the Magic Kingdom.

By David Trayner & Tom Evans

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.

The sheriff's office has now taken 4 alligators out of the lagoon but have found no evidence of child.

They will euthanise those alligators to determine if they were involved, according to reports.

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

PROBE: Police officers at the scene

PURSUIT: Officers were quick to the scene

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 Demings 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."

SEARCH: A policeman looks on as people search for a missing toddler in Florida

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

FEAR: Sheriff Jerry Demings conceded there were 'challenges ahead

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."

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

It comes amid warnings for families to be extra vigilant at the theme park.

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.

Alligators live across Florida and are a "fundamental part" of its wetlands, swamps, rivers and lakes, state wildlife officials say.

22 people have been killed by alligators in Florida since 1948.

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."