Young Girl Injured in Rare Shark Attack Near Boca Grande
A 9-year-old girl was seriously injured in a shark attack near Boca Grande on Tuesday.
The incident occurred around noon off Shore Lane, according to the Boca Grande Fire Department. The child, identified as Leah Lendel, was snorkeling offshore when a bull shark bit her. Witnesses reported seeing multiple children and adults in the water at the time of the attack.
Leah’s mother was nearby with her two younger children when she noticed her daughter’s hand severely injured and bleeding. Bystanders, including two men on their lunch break, quickly responded by pulling the child from the water and applying a towel to control the bleeding. Emergency services were contacted immediately.
Leah and her father were both airlifted to a trauma center for treatment. As of the latest update, the family remains at the hospital awaiting the outcome of surgery and has requested privacy during this difficult time.
Local naturalists emphasized that shark attacks in the area are rare, though sharks are often present in local waters, especially during tarpon and shark mating seasons. The fire chief of Boca Grande noted that in his 16 years in the role, there have been only two reported shark attacks in the area—both during tarpon season. The last known incident occurred in 2019 when a man required surgery after a shark bite in Boca Grande Pass.
Officials continue to monitor the area and advise caution for beachgoers.