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Disney World installs permanent memorial to boy killed by alligator

 
Disney World unveiled this statue placed in honor of Lane Thomas Graves, who was killed by an alligator at its Orlando resort. [Lane Thomas Foundation via Facebook]
Disney World unveiled this statue placed in honor of Lane Thomas Graves, who was killed by an alligator at its Orlando resort. [Lane Thomas Foundation via Facebook]
Published Aug. 8, 2017

Disney World has installed a lighthouse statue in honor of Lane Thomas Graves, the 2-year-old boy killed by an alligator while playing near a lagoon at Disney's Grand Floridian resort in June of 2016, Fox 35 Orlando reported.

The lighthouse is the symbol of the Lane Thomas Foundation, a charitable fund created by the boy's parents to help financially support families with children in need of organ transplants.

The statue, placed near the site of the tragedy, reads: "Presented to the Lane Graves Foundation. A beacon of hope. A light of love."

The boy was playing in the sand near the Seven Seas Lagoon when an alligator attacked. His father, Matt Graves, went into the water and tried to pull the boy from the alligator's jaws, but was unsuccessful.

Since the attack, Disney World has added alligator warning signs, and placed a barrier around the lagoon.