The incident took place around noon at the beach off Shore Lane, according to the Boca Grande Fire Department.
Witnesses described the terrifying scene as 9-year-old Leah Lendel was snorkeling offshore when the attack occurred. Raynel Lugo, who was nearby, heard her screams.
“Somebody screaming, help, help, help. And then we jump on and see what’s going on. And I saw it was like five kids on the water, mom and dad on the water, and I saw a shark right on top of the lady, little kid,” said Lugo.
Leah’s family explained that her mother was just feet away, holding her two toddlers, when she saw Leah’s hand covered in blood, nearly torn off.
“She was swimming with this you can see the blood on top,” said Lugo.
Lugo and his coworker, both on their lunch break, immediately jumped into action to assist.
“We jump on the water, we pull him off, and the shark was right behind us,” said Lugo. “She was walking outside with the hands out bleeding, like really bad. So he put a towel on it to stop the bleeding. And I called 911.
Leah and her father were airlifted to a trauma center for medical treatment. The family later shared that they are still waiting for news from the operating room and are asking for prayers and privacy during this difficult time.
Rob Howell, a naturalist in the area, said shark attacks are rare despite the presence of sharks.
“Whenever I hear about a possible shark attack is skepticism, just because it does happen, but it doesn’t have to happen as often as people think it does,” said Howell.
Boca Grande is known for its tarpon during this time of year, which coincides with shark mating season
“Even today, we were seeing sharks everywhere they are in the area, most of the time, though, they’re not going to harm us. We are not on their food chain,” added Howell.
The chief of the Boca Grande Fire Department mentioned that in his 16 years as chief, there have only been two shark attacks in the area, both during tarpon season.
In 2019, a man had to undergo surgery after a shark bit him in the Boca Grande Pass.