Body cam video captures response to shark attack off Boca Grande that injured 10-year-old girl
Leah Lendel, 10, was snorkeling off Boca Grande when she was attacked by a shark on Wednesday, leaving her hand severely injured and prompting a swift rescue effort.
Her mother, Nadia Lendel, described the terrifying moments with a Lee County deputy who responded to the scene. Nadia described how Leah suddenly emerged from the water with her hand hanging and blood everywhere.
Bodycam footage also captured medics rushing Leah into an ambulance as Nadia tried to stay calm and shared what happened to her daughter.
"I started screaming to my husband, yelling I needed to get out and grab the babies. Didn't know who to grab. Got the point, it was a shark," Nadia Lendel said, explaining her immediate concern for her other children while worrying about Leah.
Alfonso Tello and his coworkers, who were working nearby, quickly intervened to help.
"We were at lunch and we heard someone screaming, and so that's when we got over, and they were crying and everybody was like in shock," Tello said.
He and his team used a shirt as a tourniquet to stop Leah's bleeding.
"And we see the little girl crying. So when we see that little girl come out from the water with no hand, it was like something out, like, gets me," Tello said.
Leah's family said doctors at Tampa General Hospital were able to reattach her hand, and she is now able to move some of her fingers.
The hospital shared a statement from the Lendel family:
"We want to say Thank You to everyone that is praying for our sweet Leah. We are thankful for the quick response of everyone that was on scene, the construction workers and residents that ran out to help and the first responders and to all the doctors/nurses that are doing everything to help our girl.
Yesterday Leah had an extensive surgery on her hand (wrist & fingers). The doctors were able to get blood flow to her hand and fingers. She is showing some movement in two fingers but can’t feel the rest. The doctors will be doing another procedure tomorrow to see if there is anything else that needs to be done.
The fact that Leah has all her fingers attached is already a testimony. From witnessing her wrist hanging on by just the skin, to have blood flow in all of her hand and fingers is truly a miracle.
Please keep praying for our family, our God is a miracle worker."
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