Girl’s Hand Reattached After Boca Grande Shark Attack

Nine-year-old Leah Lendel was attacked by an 8-foot bull shark while snorkeling with her family near Boca Grande, Florida, on June 11, resulting in her hand being bitten off at the wrist and left hanging by a thread. Construction workers quickly used a towel to fashion a tourniquet and called 911, allowing Leah to be airlifted to Tampa General Hospital for emergency surgery involving bone, artery, tendon, and nerve repair. Doctors successfully restored blood flow and Leah has begun regaining movement in her fingers, offering hope for recovery. Officials say shark attacks in the area are extremely rare, with the last reported incident about 20 years ago. The family and local community have expressed gratitude for the rapid response of bystanders and medical teams. Leah’s mother, a social media influencer, continues to update followers online about her daughter's condition.