Las Vegas Sun

May 5, 2024

Man grabbed by gator at Disney in 1986 horrified for boy’s family

HEBRON, N.H. — The death of a 2-year-old boy at a Walt Disney World resort after an alligator attack has brought back some frightening memories for a New Hampshire man who was grabbed by a gator at a Disney campground in 1986, when he was 8.

Hebron resident Paul Santamaria says he now has twin daughters the same age as victim Lane Graves and is horrified for the boy's family. Lane was grabbed by an alligator Tuesday at a beach 3 miles from where Santamaria was attacked.

Santamaria says he was feeding ducks at a pond at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground when an alligator grabbed his leg. Santamaria's sister and brother sprang into action, and the alligator eventually let him go.

He suffered gashes and a tooth stuck in his thigh.

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