8ft Bull Shark Nearly Bites Off Nine-Year-Old’s Hand Amid Family Snorkel Trip

When nine‑year‑old Leah Lendel entered the waters off Boca Grande, Florida, she expected a fun snorkeling outing with her mom and siblings. Instead, in an instant, a shark lunged—nearly severing her hand. Thanks to a rapid response by her family and bystanders, Leah’s life was spared, though her journey to recovery will be long and arduous.

A Sudden Strike Beneath the Waves

Leah was snorkeling about a metre from the surface—close enough that her mother, Nadia, and two younger siblings were just four feet away—when she surfaced screaming. A shark, estimated around 8 ft long and possibly a bull shark, bit Leah’s right hand near the wrist, nearly tearing it off. “I could see her hand hanging … and just blood everywhere,” Nadia told deputies.

Instant Action from Family and Strangers

With her mother screaming for help and her father swimming toward shore, on‑site construction workers rushed to assist. They fashioned a tourniquet from a towel, staunched the bleeding, and summoned emergency services. One worker recalled hearing frantic cries, seeing “a shark right on top … walking outside with her hand out bleeding”. Their swift action was critical in controlling blood loss.

Airlift and Emergency Surgery Save the Hand

Paramedics airlifted Leah to a Tampa hospital, where she underwent a six‑hour surgical procedure. Surgeons used arterial grafts from her leg and inserted pins into her bones to restore blood flow. By Friday, Leah was moving all her fingers—a development doctors and family called “a miracle”.

A ‘Miracle’ and a Road to Recovery

Leah’s uncle, Max Derinskiy, shared that she’ll remain hospitalized for an extended stay and face significant physical therapy. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help cover her medical expenses . Despite the trauma, witnesses praised her composure—remarking on her bravery and calmness amid chaos .

Bull Sharks in Florida Waters: A Rare Threat

Authorities suspect a bull shark was responsible, noting its presence in the region during “tarpon season” when marine life draws sharks closer to shore. Though Florida leads the U.S. in shark bites—with 14 of the country’s 28 unprovoked attacks occurring in 2024—lethal incidents remain rare.

Lessons from a Terrifying Moment

This harrowing episode serves as a stark reminder: shark encounters, while infrequent, can happen even in familiar vacation spots. Key safety takeaways include staying close in groups, avoiding swimming in murky waters, and maintaining awareness of seasonal wildlife patterns . For Leah and her family, vigilance and swift intervention turned a near-tragedy into a story of resilience.

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Alana Theron, BSc in Biodiversity and Ecology

Author at Animals Around The Globe. BSc Biodiversity & Ecology

I spent my childhood in Scotland. In 2014, my family and I traveled around the world for 5 months, and ever since, I have had a passion for nature,
adventuring, photography and videography. I am currently working towards a BSc in Biodiversity and Ecology at Stellenbosch University to go on to specialise in Marine Sciences one day.

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