Imagine enjoying a fun-filled day of snorkeling with your family, only to have it turn into a nightmare.
That’s exactly what happened to 9-year-old Leah Lendel and her family at a beach in Boca Grande, Florida.
On June 10, Leah’s life changed forever when a shark attacked her, nearly tearing her hand completely off.
A Terrifying Moment for the Family
The incident occurred around noon when Leah and her family were exploring the ocean together.
Her father had ventured off on his own, while Leah and her siblings were snorkeling with their mother, Nadia.
Suddenly, Leah let out a blood-curdling scream, and Nadia turned to see her daughter’s hand badly injured, covered in blood. In a state of shock, Leah managed to walk out of the water by herself.
Quick-Thinking Construction Workers Save the Day
Luckily, some construction workers were nearby, enjoying their lunch break. They sprang into action, fashioning a makeshift tourniquet out of a towel to stop the bleeding.
One of the workers, Alfonso Tello, initially thought the screams were just kids playing, but soon realized the gravity of the situation. “When we saw that little girl come in from the water with no hand… it gets me,” Tello said, still shaken by the event.
The Rescue Efforts
The construction workers not only helped secure Leah’s hand but also called 911, alerting the authorities to the emergency.
Boca Grande Fire Chief C.W. Blosser III confirmed that Leah’s injuries were consistent with a shark bite. Responders quickly airlifted Leah to a local hospital, where her father accompanied her. Doctors performed extensive emergency surgery to save her hand.
A Long Road to Recovery
Leah’s uncle, Max Derinskiy, said that the recovery process would be lengthy and challenging.
“The doctors were able to do some miracles and put her hand back together,” he said.
“She will be in the hospital for a while and then undergo a lot of physical therapy to hopefully get her hand functioning again.” Despite the daunting task ahead, the family is encouraged by Leah’s progress.
Her mother, Nadia, shared the good news that Leah can already move her fingers again.
The Surgery and Road to Recovery
The surgery was a complex one, with doctors using arteries from Leah’s leg to restore blood flow to her hand.
They also installed pins in her bones and treated her open wounds.
Leah will be monitored in the hospital for a week, and then she’ll begin her physical therapy journey.
The family is grateful for the quick thinking and actions of the construction workers and the medical team that saved Leah’s hand.
