The tragedy that happened at the Seven Seas Lagoon at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Lake Buena Vista near Orlando is finally being put to rest.
The family of Lane Graves, the boy who had died in an alligator attack, has decided to take no legal action against Disney.
“Melissa and I are broken,” said Lane’s father Matt Graves in a statement. “We will forever struggle to comprehend why this happened to our sweet baby, Lane. Each day passes, the pain gets worse, but we truly appreciate the outpouring of sympathy and warm sentiments we have received from around the world.”
Instead of focusing on the grief and sadness with which the death of Lane came, the Graves want instead to keep their son’s “spirit alive” through a foundation that had been created in his memory.
“In addition to the foundation,” they also said in the statement, “we will solely be focused on the future health of our family and we will not be pursuing a lawsuit against Disney.”
“In addition to the foundation,” they also said in the statement, “we will solely be focused on the future health of our family and we will not be pursuing a lawsuit against Disney.”
The attack happened on June 14, when an alligator jumped out of the water, latched on the the boy, and dragged him into the lake while his horrified parents looked on.
According to authorities, Matt attempted to wrestle his son away from the animal but failed. Later, he said that a second alligator attacked him while he tried to save his son.
“The little boy’s body was found intact in the water the following day after a desperate search,” said an NBC report. “A medical examiner said the cause of death was drowning and traumatic injuries.”
Hailing from Elkhorn, Nebraska, the Graves had been at the Seven Seas Lagoon with their children, Lane and his four-year-old sister. They had been playing in the water on the beach when the alligator attacked.
Although there had been signs in the area that said “no swimming,” no one warned the family that there were alligators in the area.
In the days following Lane’s death, Disney updated its safety protocols. There are now barriers places in the area. There are also new signs that say: “Beware! There are alligators and snakes in the area.”
Shortly after the Graves issued a statement that they’re not pursuing legal charges, Walt Disney World Resort president said,“In the wake of this tragic accident we continue to provide ongoing support for the family, which includes honouring their request for privacy.”
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