Fisherman, 71, killed by 12-foot alligator while he stood on shoreline

A 71-year-old man was fatally savaged by a 12-foot alligator while fishing on the shoreline in Florida on Friday afternoon.

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission identified the victim as Steven Hamilton of Winter Garden, according to FOX35.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene at around 5 p.m. after Hamilton was mauled by the beast while on the shoreline of Lake Apopka, 15 miles northwest of Orlando.

A 71-year-old fisherman was killed by a 12-foot alligator while standing on the shoreline in Winter Garden, Florida.

Other active alligators were in the water, making it difficult to rescue Hamilton, whose body was recovered at 7 p.m, Winter Garden Fire Chief Jose Gainza told the outlet.

The 11.8-foot alligator was captured and killed by FWC trappers.

Reporters claimed they heard a “loud bang,” which Winter Garden Police Captain Michael Mason said was the noise of the alligator being “removed as a danger to the public.”

Lake Apopka is home to one of the largest American alligator populations in Central Florida.

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