A 9-year-old girl, Leah Lendel, suffered a severe shark bite while snorkeling at a Boca Grande beach, nearly severing her hand. Doctors at Tampa General Hospital successfully reattached Leah's hand after a 4 ½ hour surgery. Quick action by first responders and the shark's clean bite aided in the successful reattachment.

Leah Lendel's hand was bitten off by a shark while snorkeling with her family, she was then airlifted to Tampa General hospital to undergo surgery.

Leah Lendel, 9, emerged from the water with her hand hanging 'by a thread' after she was attacked during a family snorkelling adventure off the coast of Florida