Fatal alligator attack at local Winter Garden park renews safety concerns

A 71-year-old man died Friday after an alligator attack at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park in Winter Garden, prompting warnings from local officials for people fishing or walking near Lake Apopka to stay alert and keep a safe distance from wildlife.Authorities said Steven Hamilton was fishing Friday night when he was attacked. Afterward, wranglers removed a nearly 12-foot alligator from the area.Jason Handley, who was at the park as crews responded, said he watched officials pull the alligator from the water.“When we got here, all the rescue people and everything was over on this side,” Handley said. “It had the drones, everything in the air.”Handley said the alligator recovered after the attack was not the only large gator he has seen at the park. He described one encounter while he was fishing nearby.“I’m standing right here fishing, and he’s coming right here,” Handley said. “And I kind of stepped back to get away from him. And then he moved on out here.”Several people who frequent the p