Disney World unveils lighthouse in memory of toddler killed by alligator

Disney has unveiled a lighthouse memorial in honour of the little boy killed in a tragic accident last year while visiting Disney World with his family.

Two-year-old Lane Graves was building a sandcastle on the edge of the lagoon at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa in June 2016 when he was dragged into the water by an alligator. Lane's father, Matt Graves, tried unsuccessfully to free his son, sustaining multiple cuts and scratches.

After a 16-hour search, the toddler's body was found close to the shore. A medical examiner determined he had drowned after sustaining a traumatic neck injury.

As they grieved the loss of their son, Mr Graves and his wife Melissa, from Nebraska, established a foundation in their son's honour to help support other families suffering through tragedy.

"The foundation was named Lane Thomas because if Lane was ever asked his name, he would say, 'I'm Lane Thomas, I'm two,'" they write on the foundation's Facebook page. 

"Lane was a beaming, spirited, and loving child who cared for his family deeply and creating The Lane Thomas Foundation is the best way to pass on the legacy he left on this world."

According to their mission statement, The Lane Thomas Foundation is dedicated to providing financial support for non-medical expenses to families with children in need of life-saving organ transplants at Omaha healthcare facilities, including housing, transportation, food and clothing costs.

"We find comfort that so many people continue to remember our sweet boy, Lane, and we believe the lighthouse stands as a beacon of hope and support for families in the depths of despair," the family said in a statement to the Orlando Sentinel. "We will continue to honour Lane and preserve his spirit through the Lane Thomas Foundation."

A Disney spokesperson told TODAY, "The lighthouse sculpture has been installed to help spread awareness of the Lane Thomas Foundation, which was established to provide assistance and support to families whose children need organ transplants."

An August 2016 report released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, classified the attack as "predatory", noting that the alligator grabbed the two-year-old in a manner consistent with hunting.

"Alligators routinely hunt and kill prey along the shore and drag it into the water. The victim's small size and position (bent down) at the time of the attack would appear to the alligator similar to many of its normal food sources," it read. According to the report, several other park guests notified Disney employees about the presence of alligators minutes before the accident.

In the 12 months since Lane's death, Disney added alligator warning signs and erected a boulder along the edge of the Seven Seas Lagoon.