Guests at a wedding at Disney's Grand Floridian resort spotted an alligator in the Seven Seas Lagoon on June 3, 11 days before 2-year-old Lane Graves was grabbed by one of the reptiles and taken into the water, where he drowned. Gravesâ body was recovered on Wednesday, June 15. Credit: Antonio Charneco/Christina Chico

THE parents of the two-year-old boy who was dragged to his death by an alligator at a Florida Disney World have spoken of their devastation over the tragic incident.

Matt and Melissa Graves are still in shock after an alligator pulled their son Lane into the Seven Seas Lagoon at the Grand Floridian Resort, reports The Sun.

The family, who were on holiday from Nebraska with Lane and his sister, released a statement speaking about their grief.

“Words cannot describe the shock and grief our family is experiencing over the loss of our son,” they said. “We are devastated and ask for privacy during this extremely difficult time.”

Lawyer Matt Morgan told the Times in the UK that the Graves family could receive a payout of millions from Disney.

He said: “Every parent across America has had this family’s nightmare running through their minds and it’s heartbreaking to think that this may have been a preventable tragedy.”

The news come as Disney has pledged to erect warning signs about alligators in the lagoon.

The only warning sign by the lagoon told holiday makers not to swim in the waters.

There was no mention of alligators.

Morgan said that this would be an important aspect of the case, especially since there are claims that guests have fed the gators in the past.

He said: “It’s common sense that if alligators are fed on a continuing basis that they will return. If evidence supports that Disney were aware people were feeding them and didn’t erect a fence or warn of the potential of alligators to come on to the beach, that’s going to be a factor.”

The resort next to Disney World clearly displays signs warning guests of alligators in the water.

Thousands of dollars have been pouring in to help the Graves family at this time.

A GoFundMe page has raised close to A$60,000 over the last day.

It was set up by Matthew Wilhite, a pram salesman in Orlando.

He revealed on the crowd funding site that he had sold a pram to the Graves family just before the tragic incident.

He said: “When the family’s name was announced we knew immediately that they were our guests.

“With two small children of our own, and the ability to cast a wide net of support from our past guests and Facebook fans, we knew this was the right thing to do for a family whose world has just been turned upside down.”

Jarrod Parde, a representative of the Graves family wrote on the page to express their thanks.

He said: “First off, thank you to every single one of you who have donated and have left amazing comments of love, kindness, and prayer during this horrific tragedy.

“As you can understand, Matt & Melissa are going through an extremely difficult time battling the loss of their precious son, Lane.

“They want to express nothing but love to all for the support they’re receiving from complete strangers.

“Absolutely 100 per cent of the money donated will be received as Matt & Melissa the designated beneficiaries.

“Please continue to pray for the Graves during this time. Thank you and love to you all.”

Lane’s body was recovered from the lagoon on Wednesday and an autopsy was completed on Thursday afternoon.

The Medical Examiner found that “the cause of death was ruled as a result of drowning and traumatic injuries”.

Yesterday, Disney co chief Bob Iger revealed that he had been in contact with the Graves family over the telephone.

Following the incident, all beaches at the Florida resort were shut down.

Six alligators have from the lagoon have been killed in order to try and catch the animal who dragged the little boy into the water.

This story first appeared in The Sun