Overview

• On June 11 a suspected bull shark bit Leah Lendel’s right hand while she snorkeled off Boca Grande, marking the first shark incident on the island in about 20 years.
• Nearby construction workers and beachgoers applied a tourniquet and summoned emergency services, helping to control blood loss.
• Leah was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital’s Level I trauma center to ensure immediate specialist care.
• A surgical team led by Dr. Alfred Hess spent six hours restoring blood flow, stabilizing her wrist and preserving her hand.
• She remains in stable condition and is expected to begin physical therapy as part of her rehabilitation.