9-Year-Old Bradenton Girl Injured in Shark Bite While Snorkeling at Boca Grande
A family snorkeling trip turned into a medical emergency Wednesday when a 9-year-old Bradenton girl was bitten by a shark in the shallow waters off Boca Grande.
The victim, Leah Lendel, was snorkeling with her siblings about 25 feet from shore when the attack occurred. Witnesses reported seeing an approximately 8-foot shark in the area and stated that the child’s hand appeared to be barely attached after the bite.
Leah was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery. She is now in recovery, according to her family.
Body camera footage from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office captured the immediate aftermath, with Leah’s mother, Nadia, describing the moment she saw her daughter’s injury. Nearby workers responded to her calls for help, rushing into the water to pull the children to safety.
One of the rescuers, Rayner Lugo, used a towel to stem the bleeding and called 911. The quick response from bystanders likely helped stabilize the young girl before first responders arrived.
Marine experts say while shark bites are uncommon, such “curious bites” do happen, particularly in murky water where visibility is poor. Alan Moore, president of the Coastal Marine Education Research Academy, explained that the shark likely mistook the girl for prey.
Though rare, Moore advised beachgoers to take precautions: avoid swimming at dawn or dusk, don’t wear reflective items in the water, and stay in groups to reduce the risk of an encounter.
Leah’s family is asking for privacy as she continues her recovery.
