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A nine-year-old girl was seriously injured this Wednesday after being attacked by a shark while snorkeling in waters near Boca Grande, on Florida's west coast, local authorities reported.
According to the news portal Gulf Coast News Now, the girl was identified as Leah Lendel, who was with her family enjoying a day at the beach when the incident occurred.
The attack occurred in the 2200 block of Shore Lane, just before noon.
According to a statement from the family, Leah had submerged her head to observe the sea floor and, when she surfaced, she began to scream.
Her mother, who was just a few meters away looking after her other two small children, noticed that the girl's right hand was covered in blood and severely injured.
The father, who was farther away with two other brothers, swam quickly towards the shore.
Leah, despite the severity of her injury, managed to walk on her own to the shore, where she was immediately assisted by construction workers and a good Samaritan who helped to stop the bleeding with T-shirts.
The head of the Boca Grande Fire Department, C.W. Blosser III, confirmed that the injuries were consistent with a shark bite, although no sharks were sighted in the area at the time of the rescue.
Due to the severity of her injuries, Leah was airlifted to a hospital in Tampa, where she underwent a six-hour surgery.
The doctors managed to reconstruct his hand, using arteries from his leg to restore blood flow and inserting pins in the bones.
According to her mother, the girl can already move her fingers, although she is still under medical observation. Local authorities urged swimmers to exercise extreme caution in open water areas.
The fire chief recalled that this is not the first incident of this kind in the area, although the cases have been sporadic over time. “When you receive a call like that, you always hope for the best but prepare for the worst,” Blosser remarked.
Recently, a fascinating sighting captured attention on the west coast of Florida, near Tampa, where a drone recorded two large sharks swimming calmly in the shallow waters.
The surprising event, documented on Friday by local drone operator John Yanchoris, took place near Caladesi and Honeymoon Islands in Pinellas County.
In April, a man was airlifted after being bitten by a shark while he was at Everglades National Park in Monroe County.
The incident, which occurred near Flamingo Beach, prompted a swift response from the Miami-Dade Fire Department (MDFR), whose paramedics provided urgent care and transported the victim to Jackson South Medical Center in South Miami.
Similarly, in January, the sighting of the large shark raised alarms among local residents, and although it is common to see sharks in South Florida, the presence of this predator so near the shore caused concern.
The shark, identified by some as a possible mako, common blue shark, or shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus), remained in the area for several days, an unusual behavior that intrigued both locals and scientists.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shark Attacks in Florida
What happened to the nine-year-old girl in Florida?
The girl was attacked by a shark while snorkeling in Boca Grande. She sustained severe injuries to her right hand and was airlifted to a hospital in Tampa, where she underwent a six-hour surgery.
Are shark attacks common in Florida?
Although shark attacks are not common, the Boca Grande area has recorded isolated incidents over time. Local authorities recommend exercising caution in open water areas to minimize risks.
How is the girl recovering after the shark attack?
The girl can now move the fingers of the affected hand, although she remains under medical observation following the reconstructive surgery she underwent at the hospital in Tampa.
What safety measures are recommended to avoid shark attacks?
To reduce the risk of shark encounters, it is recommended to always swim in groups, avoid the water at dawn or dusk, and not to wear jewelry that may attract sharks.
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