9-year-old girl nearly loses hand to shark bite while snorkeling

BOCA GRANDE, Fla. (WBBH) - A 9-year-old girl was flown to a Florida hospital, where she underwent surgery, after her family says she was bitten by a shark while snorkeling.

The family of 9-year-old Leah Lendel says she was snorkeling Wednesday off Boca Grande when she was bitten by a shark. Her mother says Leah’s right hand up to the wrist was covered in blood and mostly torn off.

Alfonso Tello and his coworkers were among those who rushed to help Leah and her parents.

“It was a big shark, like eight feet,” Tello said. “When we see that little girl come out from the water with no hand, it was like something out – gets me. Everybody was in shock.”

Leah was flown by helicopter to a Tampa hospital, where she underwent a six-hour surgery. Her mother says surgeons were able to put the 9-year-old’s hand back together.

“They had to get arteries from her leg to the hand, got the blood flow back to her hand. Install pins in bones. Still has open tissues. They will be monitoring her for a week. But thank God, she can move her fingers,” Leah’s mother said.

The Boca Grande fire chief confirmed the girl’s injuries were consistent with a shark bite; though no shark was seen in the water when responders arrived. Authorities are working to gather more information about the incident.

Beachgoers are advised to remain vigilant while in the water.

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