Body camera footage from an officer captured crucial moments following the rescue of a young girl attacked by a shark last Wednesday near Boca Grande, on Florida's west coast. The video, shared by local news outlet NBC6, shows rescue teams tending to Leah Lendel, the girl injured in the incident.
The footage also reveals Leah's mother recounting the terrifying event to the medical personnel and police officers at the scene. She explained that her family was snorkeling close to the shore when they noticed Leah was injured after she emerged from the water.
"She suddenly bolted out of the water. I might have heard a scream, and then I saw her hand dangling, blood everywhere," the mother recounted. "I started yelling for my husband to hurry because I was overwhelmed with all the kids. It was a shark," she added.
One officer comforted the distraught mother, saying, "She's okay. She's a brave girl." Three men who witnessed the event also provided their accounts to the authorities.
"We were having lunch when we heard cries for help. We jumped from our seats, and one of us dove into the water to get the shark off her," one of the men described. They wrapped Leah's hand in towels before she was airlifted to a hospital in Tampa.
"All we could see was her hand and arm hanging, so we applied a towel, brought her to safety, and called 911," another man stated. The shark, approximately 8 feet long, was near the shore, they explained. Police commended the quick actions of the bystanders.
The family reported that Leah’s hand was reattached. "She'll be hospitalized for some time and will undergo extensive physiotherapy to hopefully regain full function of her hand," Leah's uncle told NBC.
Incident Details
Leah Lendel was enjoying a beach day with her family when the attack occurred near the 2200 block of Shore Lane, shortly before noon. According to a family statement, Leah had submerged her head to observe the sea floor and began screaming upon resurfacing.
Her mother, caring for her other two young children nearby, noticed Leah's right hand was severely injured and bleeding profusely. Her father, further away with two other siblings, swiftly swam to shore.
Despite her severe injury, Leah managed to walk to the beach, where construction workers and a good Samaritan helped control the bleeding with shirts. Boca Grande Fire Department Chief C.W. Blosser III confirmed the wounds were consistent with a shark bite, although no shark was spotted during the rescue.
Due to the injury's severity, Leah was flown to a Tampa hospital for a six-hour surgery. Surgeons reconstructed her hand, using arteries from her leg to restore blood flow and securing the bones with pins. Her mother reported Leah can now move her fingers but remains under medical observation. Local authorities urged swimmers to exercise caution in open water areas.
Fire Chief Blosser noted that while similar incidents have occurred, they have been rare. "When you receive such a call, you always hope for the best while preparing for the worst," he said.
Understanding Shark Attacks in Florida
What precautions can be taken to avoid shark attacks?
To minimize the risk of shark attacks, swimmers should avoid swimming alone, stay close to the shore, avoid water during dawn or dusk, and refrain from wearing shiny jewelry that might attract sharks.
How common are shark attacks in Florida?
While Florida is known for having the highest number of shark attacks globally, these incidents remain rare and often result in minor injuries.
What should you do if bitten by a shark?
If bitten by a shark, it is crucial to remain calm, try to get out of the water swiftly, apply pressure to stop the bleeding, and seek immediate medical attention.