9-year-old girl recovering at Tampa hospital after hand torn off by shark, family says
Share this @internewscast.com

A young girl, only 9 years old, is on the mend at a Tampa hospital after nearly losing her hand in what appeared to be a shark attack on Wednesday, NBC affiliate WBBH reports.

Leah Lendel was snorkeling in the water off a Boca Grande beach with her family at the time of the incident.

Her mother recounted being just a few feet away when the incident occurred. Her daughter had submerged for a snorkel, only to resurface screaming. Her arm was drenched in blood, and her hand was almost entirely detached at the wrist.

They hurried to the shore where a local construction crew quickly assisted. Boca Grande fire authorities stated that the wounds were consistent with a shark bite, although first responders did not spot the shark upon their arrival.

Leah’s father flew with her to Tampa, where she underwent a 6-hour surgery. Her mother said surgeons managed to reattach her hand.

“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 here for a week. But thank God she can move her fingers,” Leah’s mother, Nadia Lendel, told WBBH.

WFLA has reached out to local hospitals for an update on the girl’s condition.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Kilmar Abrego Garcia Claims Beatings and Psychological Torture in Salvadoran Prison

WASHINGTON – According to court documents submitted on Wednesday, Kilmar Abrego Garcia…

WCSO: Two Arrested Following Hammer and Gun Attacks

JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Washington County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Office has reported…

Trump Plans to Welcome Recently Freed American Hostage While Hamas Considers a 60-Day Ceasefire

() President Donald Trump and the first lady will host freed American…

Oscar Mayer Recalls Almost 368,000 Pounds of Turkey Bacon Due to Listeria Concerns

According to federal health officials, about 368,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey…

Judge Refuses Bail for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Following Prostitution-Related Conviction

Editor’s Note: This article involves discussions of rape or sexual assault that…

Del Monte, the 139-Year-Old Canned Foods Giant, Files for Bankruptcy Protection

Del Monte Foods, the 139-year-old company best known for its canned fruits…

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Shares Strategies for a Secure Fourth of July Celebration in Downtown Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. () – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has provided information…

Port Canaveral Advances Plans for New Cruise Terminals to Meet High Demand

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. – Years in the making, the next cruise terminals…

DeSantis Approves $1 Million Compensation for Pasco Resident Struck by Bus Over 18 Years Ago

This week in Tampa, Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis enacted a law permitting…

Augusta Launches Solar-Powered Streetlights

AUGUSTA, Ga. () – For Augusta drivers, it’s a first when it…

Richmond County Sheriff Commends Inmates for Making Positive Choices

AUGUSTA, GA. () – Richmond County Sheriff, Gino Brantley, is praising three…

Zohran Mamdani Addresses Trump Threats: ‘Speaking Out Comes With Risks’

NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) – Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New…