My fisherman friend, 71, was killed by an alligator after he ‘stole’ its dinner. He saw it coming and tried to run… then slipped at the worst possible moment

Steven Hamilton, 71, was killed by an alligator while fishing beside Lake Apopka near Orlando. A friend said Hamilton tried to flee after hearing the animal leave the water, but slipped and fell; the alligator seized his leg and dragged him into the lake. The death was ruled an accident, with blunt force injury and drowning cited as causes.

Hamilton had been posing for a photograph with a large bass, which his friend thought may have attracted the alligator. Witnesses tried to help by throwing traffic cones, while emergency responders faced several other alligators circling in the water. Officials later captured and killed the 12-foot alligator, taking its head as evidence; Hamilton was remembered as a regular fisherman and veteran local musician.