Young Girl Survives Shark Attack During Florida Snorkeling Trip

A 9-year-old girl recounted a frightening shark attack that occurred unexpectedly while she was snorkeling off the coast of Boca Grande. She described the moment as so swift that she didn’t realize she had been bitten until she saw her bloodied hand.

Leah Lendel was in the water with her family, including her mother and siblings, when the shark struck. She was just a few feet from her mother at the time. She explained, “I was just snorkeling and went up to breathe when something hard bit me and tried to drag me away. I saw my hand, and it was covered in blood.”

Girl in hospital bed with her mother. — Leah was quickly airlifted to a hospital, where she spent six hours undergoing surgery to preserve her hand. Her mother shared that the medical team used vessels from her leg to restore blood flow.

The girl initially screamed for help before her father arrived to carry her out of the water. Her mother confirmed there was a significant amount of blood in the water right next to her, and immediately recognized it as a shark attack.

First responders’ bodycam footage captured medics comforting Leah and encouraging her bravery as she was stabilized and transported to Tampa for emergency surgery. Fortunately, her doctors managed to save her hand after setting the broken bones and repairing blood vessels.

Her father expressed gratitude, saying, “I’m just thankful she’s alive.” Leah’s ordeal highlights the unpredictable danger of wild marine life during recreational water activities.