Shark bite survivor’s family, TGH doctors to give update on 9-year-old’s recovery

TAMPA, Fla. – The family of a 9-year-old girl recently bitten by a shark on Florida’s Gulf Coast will join doctors at Tampa General Hospital on Thursday to talk about her recovery.

The backstory:

Leah Lendel was snorkeling with her family at Boca Grande on June 12 when a shark bit her, leaving her hand “hanging by a little piece of skin,” according to a witness.

A nearby construction crew rushed to pull her from the water and call 911.

The child was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital, where she underwent surgery that lasted hours while doctors worked to save her hand. The procedure involved bone reconstruction, artery grafts from her leg, and tendon and nerve repair.

Late last week, Leah’s mother posted on Instagram about her daughter’s progress, saying she could move some of her fingers again.

What’s next:

Thursday’s news conference at TGH is expected to begin at 8:30 a.m.

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The Source: This story was written with information from Tampa General Hospital and previous FOX 13 News reports.

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