Girl's hand ‘mostly torn off' in terrifying shark attack
A mother has recalled the horror she experienced in the moments after her young daughter was attacked by a shark.
Nine-year-old Leah Lendel was bitten as she snorkelled off Boca Grande, Florida, on Wednesday, leaving her with severe injuries.
Lendel's family told NBC affiliate WBBH the girl went underwater and as she came up, she started screaming.
Her mother, Nadia, who was about 1.5 metres away with her two toddlers, said she saw that Leah's hand was covered in blood..
When Nadia looked over at her daughter, the family said she saw her daughter's right hand covered 'up to the wrist, all in blood and mostly torn off'.
Nadia proceeded to scream for help as she ushered her three kids to shore, the family said.
Meanwhile, Leah's dad, who'd been snorkelling 'some distance away', swam 'as fast as possible to shore', the Lendels said.
Leah was able to walk out of the water as nearby construction workers rushed to help.
'She was walking outside with [her] hand out bleeding, like really bad. So [a co-worker] put a towel on it to stop the bleeding. And I called 911,' Raynel Lugo, one of the workers told WINK News.
Witnesses the shark was about 2.4 metres in length.
Police body camera from the scene shows first responders treating Leah moments after the attack.
'Hey there sweetheart, you're being very brave,' one can be heard saying in the video.
Leah was airlifted to a hospital in Tampa. Nadia, a blogger with over 97,000 followers on Instagram, said she underwent a six-hour operation and is recovering well after doctors put her hand back together.
'They had to get arteries from her leg to the hand. Got the blood flow back to her hand. Install pins in bones. Still has open tissues. They will be monitoring her here for a week. But thank God she can move her fingers,' Nadia said.
'This is truly a MIRACLE,' the mother-of-five captioned a picture of her next to her daughter's hospital bed.
Max Derinskiy, an uncle of Leah's who created a GoFundMe campaign to help with medical expenses, told NBC News that she will remain in the hospital for a while and then faces 'a lot of physical therapy to hopefully get her hand functioning again'.
'The doctors worked miracles and were able to put her hand back together,' he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'I have to beg charities to help us': Janine's heartbreaking struggle to live
Janine Aqil doesn't know how long she has to live. Mrs Aqil, of Maitland, has incurable bile duct cancer. The 28-year-old was studying to be a teacher for children with special needs before she was diagnosed last year. "It's extremely hard. I'm trying to stay positive and not constantly think about the negative," she said. Her cancer was discovered after she went for a blood test in pregnancy planning. "The cancer markers were clear, but it was showing some kind of infection," she said. "I went through specific cancer blood tests and they came back clear. Then my doctor sent me to get an X-ray, CT scan and ultrasound. "I got a call from the radiology clinic telling me to go to hospital because there's something not right." She was admitted to hospital for further tests. "I eventually got an MRI and then a liver biopsy. That's when they found it was actually cancer. It came as a big shock." Janine's mum Trish Bolan started a GoFundMe for her daughter. Ms Bolan, who lives near Gloucester, said the diagnosis had "completely turned our lives upside down". "If you know Janine, then you know how humble, polite and caring she is with an absolute heart of gold," Ms Bolan said. She said the family was struggling to afford rent, bills, medicine and "basic things". Janine's husband, Arsalan Aqil, said "we're going through absolute hell". "There's not a single day we don't cry," said Mr Aqil, 35. "I just look after my wife at home. She's not able to walk properly due to extensive weakness caused by chemo. "We both have anxiety and depression. We are suffering financially, emotionally and physically." Mr Aqil, who was born in Pakistan, is not an Australian citizen. "We solely rely on my wife's disability payments and most of that goes on rent. Then we are barely left with anything. I have to beg charities to help us." Mr Aqil was lonely until he met his wife. "My wife means everything to me. I just want her to get better," he said. "My approach to life changed when I met her. Then I started planning to be a better provider and get us somewhere in life." He dreamed of studying medicine or IT. Mrs Aqil can't have surgery because the cancer is on both sides of her liver. "I'm not eligible for a transplant because it's in lymph nodes and part of the pelvis," she said. "I recently had a second liver biopsy to get more tissue samples, so they can do tests to see what clinical trials I could possibly do." She is being treated with chemotherapy tablets, as receiving intravenous treatment left her bedridden for days. Her cancer is stable. "There's nothing that will 100 per cent cure it, but it can be under control," she said. They are drawing on their faith to get through the ordeal. "Every day is a struggle for us. We don't feel like waking up, but we have to," Mr Aqil said. Janine Aqil doesn't know how long she has to live. Mrs Aqil, of Maitland, has incurable bile duct cancer. The 28-year-old was studying to be a teacher for children with special needs before she was diagnosed last year. "It's extremely hard. I'm trying to stay positive and not constantly think about the negative," she said. Her cancer was discovered after she went for a blood test in pregnancy planning. "The cancer markers were clear, but it was showing some kind of infection," she said. "I went through specific cancer blood tests and they came back clear. Then my doctor sent me to get an X-ray, CT scan and ultrasound. "I got a call from the radiology clinic telling me to go to hospital because there's something not right." She was admitted to hospital for further tests. "I eventually got an MRI and then a liver biopsy. That's when they found it was actually cancer. It came as a big shock." Janine's mum Trish Bolan started a GoFundMe for her daughter. Ms Bolan, who lives near Gloucester, said the diagnosis had "completely turned our lives upside down". "If you know Janine, then you know how humble, polite and caring she is with an absolute heart of gold," Ms Bolan said. She said the family was struggling to afford rent, bills, medicine and "basic things". Janine's husband, Arsalan Aqil, said "we're going through absolute hell". "There's not a single day we don't cry," said Mr Aqil, 35. "I just look after my wife at home. She's not able to walk properly due to extensive weakness caused by chemo. "We both have anxiety and depression. We are suffering financially, emotionally and physically." Mr Aqil, who was born in Pakistan, is not an Australian citizen. "We solely rely on my wife's disability payments and most of that goes on rent. Then we are barely left with anything. I have to beg charities to help us." Mr Aqil was lonely until he met his wife. "My wife means everything to me. I just want her to get better," he said. "My approach to life changed when I met her. Then I started planning to be a better provider and get us somewhere in life." He dreamed of studying medicine or IT. Mrs Aqil can't have surgery because the cancer is on both sides of her liver. "I'm not eligible for a transplant because it's in lymph nodes and part of the pelvis," she said. "I recently had a second liver biopsy to get more tissue samples, so they can do tests to see what clinical trials I could possibly do." She is being treated with chemotherapy tablets, as receiving intravenous treatment left her bedridden for days. Her cancer is stable. "There's nothing that will 100 per cent cure it, but it can be under control," she said. They are drawing on their faith to get through the ordeal. "Every day is a struggle for us. We don't feel like waking up, but we have to," Mr Aqil said. Janine Aqil doesn't know how long she has to live. Mrs Aqil, of Maitland, has incurable bile duct cancer. The 28-year-old was studying to be a teacher for children with special needs before she was diagnosed last year. "It's extremely hard. I'm trying to stay positive and not constantly think about the negative," she said. Her cancer was discovered after she went for a blood test in pregnancy planning. "The cancer markers were clear, but it was showing some kind of infection," she said. "I went through specific cancer blood tests and they came back clear. Then my doctor sent me to get an X-ray, CT scan and ultrasound. "I got a call from the radiology clinic telling me to go to hospital because there's something not right." She was admitted to hospital for further tests. "I eventually got an MRI and then a liver biopsy. That's when they found it was actually cancer. It came as a big shock." Janine's mum Trish Bolan started a GoFundMe for her daughter. Ms Bolan, who lives near Gloucester, said the diagnosis had "completely turned our lives upside down". "If you know Janine, then you know how humble, polite and caring she is with an absolute heart of gold," Ms Bolan said. She said the family was struggling to afford rent, bills, medicine and "basic things". Janine's husband, Arsalan Aqil, said "we're going through absolute hell". "There's not a single day we don't cry," said Mr Aqil, 35. "I just look after my wife at home. She's not able to walk properly due to extensive weakness caused by chemo. "We both have anxiety and depression. We are suffering financially, emotionally and physically." Mr Aqil, who was born in Pakistan, is not an Australian citizen. "We solely rely on my wife's disability payments and most of that goes on rent. Then we are barely left with anything. I have to beg charities to help us." Mr Aqil was lonely until he met his wife. "My wife means everything to me. I just want her to get better," he said. "My approach to life changed when I met her. Then I started planning to be a better provider and get us somewhere in life." He dreamed of studying medicine or IT. Mrs Aqil can't have surgery because the cancer is on both sides of her liver. "I'm not eligible for a transplant because it's in lymph nodes and part of the pelvis," she said. "I recently had a second liver biopsy to get more tissue samples, so they can do tests to see what clinical trials I could possibly do." She is being treated with chemotherapy tablets, as receiving intravenous treatment left her bedridden for days. Her cancer is stable. "There's nothing that will 100 per cent cure it, but it can be under control," she said. They are drawing on their faith to get through the ordeal. "Every day is a struggle for us. We don't feel like waking up, but we have to," Mr Aqil said. Janine Aqil doesn't know how long she has to live. Mrs Aqil, of Maitland, has incurable bile duct cancer. The 28-year-old was studying to be a teacher for children with special needs before she was diagnosed last year. "It's extremely hard. I'm trying to stay positive and not constantly think about the negative," she said. Her cancer was discovered after she went for a blood test in pregnancy planning. "The cancer markers were clear, but it was showing some kind of infection," she said. "I went through specific cancer blood tests and they came back clear. Then my doctor sent me to get an X-ray, CT scan and ultrasound. "I got a call from the radiology clinic telling me to go to hospital because there's something not right." She was admitted to hospital for further tests. "I eventually got an MRI and then a liver biopsy. That's when they found it was actually cancer. It came as a big shock." Janine's mum Trish Bolan started a GoFundMe for her daughter. Ms Bolan, who lives near Gloucester, said the diagnosis had "completely turned our lives upside down". "If you know Janine, then you know how humble, polite and caring she is with an absolute heart of gold," Ms Bolan said. She said the family was struggling to afford rent, bills, medicine and "basic things". Janine's husband, Arsalan Aqil, said "we're going through absolute hell". "There's not a single day we don't cry," said Mr Aqil, 35. "I just look after my wife at home. She's not able to walk properly due to extensive weakness caused by chemo. "We both have anxiety and depression. We are suffering financially, emotionally and physically." Mr Aqil, who was born in Pakistan, is not an Australian citizen. "We solely rely on my wife's disability payments and most of that goes on rent. Then we are barely left with anything. I have to beg charities to help us." Mr Aqil was lonely until he met his wife. "My wife means everything to me. I just want her to get better," he said. "My approach to life changed when I met her. Then I started planning to be a better provider and get us somewhere in life." He dreamed of studying medicine or IT. Mrs Aqil can't have surgery because the cancer is on both sides of her liver. "I'm not eligible for a transplant because it's in lymph nodes and part of the pelvis," she said. "I recently had a second liver biopsy to get more tissue samples, so they can do tests to see what clinical trials I could possibly do." She is being treated with chemotherapy tablets, as receiving intravenous treatment left her bedridden for days. Her cancer is stable. "There's nothing that will 100 per cent cure it, but it can be under control," she said. They are drawing on their faith to get through the ordeal. "Every day is a struggle for us. We don't feel like waking up, but we have to," Mr Aqil said.
Courier-Mail
14 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
AFLW star Tilly Lucas-Rodd ‘so happy' after gender-affirming top surgery
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFLW. Followed categories will be added to My News. AFLW star Tilly Lucas-Rodd has revealed they are 'so happy' and feel so much like themselves after having gender-affirming top surgery during the off-season. The 29-year-old Hawthorn star is the league's first current player to undergo the surgery - which removes breast tissue in a similar way to a double mastectomy - and said they feel so much more comfortable. 'People often have asked me, 'How do I feel now that I've had it' - post-surgery, seeing myself,' Lucas-Rodd, who identifies as non-binary, told ABC Sport. '... for me, it was like, 'this is how I've always looked when I saw myself' … This is what I've always thought and always seen internally.' AFLW star Tilly Lucas-Rodd says they are 'so happy' after undergoing gender affirming top surgery. Picture: Instagram/tillylr Prior to the surgery, Lucas-Rodd was taping or binding their chest and wearing a guernsey multiple sizes too large in order to reduce dysphoria. This practice however, was causing issues, sometimes restricting breathing and movement, and creating back pain. Since returning to training, however, Lucas-Rodd said they are relishing the freedom of not needing a sports bra or chest bindings. 'Going out onto the track in our training guernseys or our singlets, I just feel so, so happy and so just like me,' they said. 'I had huge discomfort around my chest, huge dysphoria. It didn't match up with what I felt internally I should look like.' The halfback came out publicly as non-binary in 2023, saying at the time that they 'don't really identify strongly as my assigned gender at birth, which is female.' 'I don't really feel strongly that I fit into that label as a female, and at the same time I don't feel like I'm a male, either. I guess I'm in between that,' they said in a video shared on the Hawthorn website. 'So for me, the label 'non-binary' feels most comfortable about how I identify in terms of my gender.' Lucas-Rodd said they feel more comfortable and like themselves since returning to training. Picture: Instagram/tillylr The Hawthorn player identifies as non-binary. Picture: Instagram/tillylr Two other AFLW players, Carlton star Darcy Vescio and former Gold Coast player Tori Groves-Little, also identify as non-binary, and two former players have undergone gender-reaffirming top surgery since leaving the league. Lucas-Rodd spoke to their Hawthorn teammates about the surgery when returning to training and said they were met with 'such love and acceptance'. While opening themselves up to public commentary by sharing their story has been nerve-racking, Lucas-Rodd said they hope to help others in a similar position. 'It's also to show gender diverse and trans people that there is a place for them in sport,' they said. 'Coming out publicly with top surgery, people will say and do what they want, but I'm trying to show people that no matter what gender you are, no matter how you express that, no matter anything about you, that you belong in sport and you belong in sport at a professional and elite level. 'That's a big thing for me … being like regardless of your gender and how you express that, there is this place for you in sport.' Since sharing their ABC Sport interview on Instagram, Lucas-Rodd has recieved many messages of support, including from Aussie musician G Flip who said, 'Hells yeah Tilly,' and Wentworth star Zoe Terakes, who shared a series of strong arm and love heart emojis. Originally published as AFLW star Tilly Lucas-Rodd 'so happy' after gender-affirming top surgery
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
'The scariest part is the recovery': courageous baby Hugo's fight for life
At only four days old, Hugo Holding went through open-heart surgery. Mum Hayley White, of Cessnock, said Hugo was diagnosed with a heart condition while she was pregnant. "We were asked if we wanted to terminate the pregnancy. That was a heartbreaking thing to be asked," Ms White said. "No child asks to be born, but we wanted to say we did everything we could to give him a life. "It was hard. We knew we'd be choosing to put our baby first and this would affect our other children." She added that if "any of my children were unwell, there's not a thing I wouldn't do for them". "I decided my unborn baby deserved that same respect. He is my child." Ms White sought to raise awareness that one in 100 babies are born with a congenital heart defect. Hugo's heart condition meant "the whole left side of his heart is small, including his valves". During surgery in January, he had an aortic arch repair and ASD [atrial septal defect] closure at Westmead Children's Hospital. Ms White said the surgeons and cardiologists were "amazing". "You can tell they really do care. They truly want the best for the child," she said. Hugo was in ICU for two months and a cardiac ward for a month. During this time, Hugo's dad Tyson Holding lost his job after his place of work was sold. A GoFundMe, titled "Hugo's Journey", has been started to help the family. Hugo went home for 10 weeks, but a follow-up echo scan showed his heart pressures were high. He returned to hospital last month for a diagnostic procedure. "He lost blood and went downhill. There was an issue with the ventilation machine. At one point, it wasn't working properly," Ms White said. "He ended up in ICU and didn't bounce back. After two days, they decided to intubate him, putting tubes down his nose and throat to take over the lungs' work." The doctors were concerned for Hugo's life, so he underwent a second open-heart surgery on May 30, called the Ross procedure, to replace his aortic valve with his own pulmonary valve. His pulmonary valve was replaced with a donor valve. "They've said the blood flow is looking a lot better now and his heart pressures are down," Ms White said. "His recovery so far is a lot better than last time. Fingers crossed he keeps on that path." Doctors have said Hugo's mitral valve will probably need replacing in future with a mechanical valve. Now five months old, Hugo is in a ward at Westmead for children with heart conditions. "After a big surgery, they put them on a lot of opioids like morphine and fentanyl. He's now being weaned from the drugs, which takes weeks. "The scariest part is the recovery and the things that can go wrong after surgery. It's really hard on the little babies." The family, including three of Hugo's four siblings, is staying at Ronald McDonald House. "I would like to give a shout out to Ronald McDonald House and the charity HeartKids," Ms White said. At only four days old, Hugo Holding went through open-heart surgery. Mum Hayley White, of Cessnock, said Hugo was diagnosed with a heart condition while she was pregnant. "We were asked if we wanted to terminate the pregnancy. That was a heartbreaking thing to be asked," Ms White said. "No child asks to be born, but we wanted to say we did everything we could to give him a life. "It was hard. We knew we'd be choosing to put our baby first and this would affect our other children." She added that if "any of my children were unwell, there's not a thing I wouldn't do for them". "I decided my unborn baby deserved that same respect. He is my child." Ms White sought to raise awareness that one in 100 babies are born with a congenital heart defect. Hugo's heart condition meant "the whole left side of his heart is small, including his valves". During surgery in January, he had an aortic arch repair and ASD [atrial septal defect] closure at Westmead Children's Hospital. Ms White said the surgeons and cardiologists were "amazing". "You can tell they really do care. They truly want the best for the child," she said. Hugo was in ICU for two months and a cardiac ward for a month. During this time, Hugo's dad Tyson Holding lost his job after his place of work was sold. A GoFundMe, titled "Hugo's Journey", has been started to help the family. Hugo went home for 10 weeks, but a follow-up echo scan showed his heart pressures were high. He returned to hospital last month for a diagnostic procedure. "He lost blood and went downhill. There was an issue with the ventilation machine. At one point, it wasn't working properly," Ms White said. "He ended up in ICU and didn't bounce back. After two days, they decided to intubate him, putting tubes down his nose and throat to take over the lungs' work." The doctors were concerned for Hugo's life, so he underwent a second open-heart surgery on May 30, called the Ross procedure, to replace his aortic valve with his own pulmonary valve. His pulmonary valve was replaced with a donor valve. "They've said the blood flow is looking a lot better now and his heart pressures are down," Ms White said. "His recovery so far is a lot better than last time. Fingers crossed he keeps on that path." Doctors have said Hugo's mitral valve will probably need replacing in future with a mechanical valve. Now five months old, Hugo is in a ward at Westmead for children with heart conditions. "After a big surgery, they put them on a lot of opioids like morphine and fentanyl. He's now being weaned from the drugs, which takes weeks. "The scariest part is the recovery and the things that can go wrong after surgery. It's really hard on the little babies." The family, including three of Hugo's four siblings, is staying at Ronald McDonald House. "I would like to give a shout out to Ronald McDonald House and the charity HeartKids," Ms White said. At only four days old, Hugo Holding went through open-heart surgery. Mum Hayley White, of Cessnock, said Hugo was diagnosed with a heart condition while she was pregnant. "We were asked if we wanted to terminate the pregnancy. That was a heartbreaking thing to be asked," Ms White said. "No child asks to be born, but we wanted to say we did everything we could to give him a life. "It was hard. We knew we'd be choosing to put our baby first and this would affect our other children." She added that if "any of my children were unwell, there's not a thing I wouldn't do for them". "I decided my unborn baby deserved that same respect. He is my child." Ms White sought to raise awareness that one in 100 babies are born with a congenital heart defect. Hugo's heart condition meant "the whole left side of his heart is small, including his valves". During surgery in January, he had an aortic arch repair and ASD [atrial septal defect] closure at Westmead Children's Hospital. Ms White said the surgeons and cardiologists were "amazing". "You can tell they really do care. They truly want the best for the child," she said. Hugo was in ICU for two months and a cardiac ward for a month. During this time, Hugo's dad Tyson Holding lost his job after his place of work was sold. A GoFundMe, titled "Hugo's Journey", has been started to help the family. Hugo went home for 10 weeks, but a follow-up echo scan showed his heart pressures were high. He returned to hospital last month for a diagnostic procedure. "He lost blood and went downhill. There was an issue with the ventilation machine. At one point, it wasn't working properly," Ms White said. "He ended up in ICU and didn't bounce back. After two days, they decided to intubate him, putting tubes down his nose and throat to take over the lungs' work." The doctors were concerned for Hugo's life, so he underwent a second open-heart surgery on May 30, called the Ross procedure, to replace his aortic valve with his own pulmonary valve. His pulmonary valve was replaced with a donor valve. "They've said the blood flow is looking a lot better now and his heart pressures are down," Ms White said. "His recovery so far is a lot better than last time. Fingers crossed he keeps on that path." Doctors have said Hugo's mitral valve will probably need replacing in future with a mechanical valve. Now five months old, Hugo is in a ward at Westmead for children with heart conditions. "After a big surgery, they put them on a lot of opioids like morphine and fentanyl. He's now being weaned from the drugs, which takes weeks. "The scariest part is the recovery and the things that can go wrong after surgery. It's really hard on the little babies." The family, including three of Hugo's four siblings, is staying at Ronald McDonald House. "I would like to give a shout out to Ronald McDonald House and the charity HeartKids," Ms White said. At only four days old, Hugo Holding went through open-heart surgery. Mum Hayley White, of Cessnock, said Hugo was diagnosed with a heart condition while she was pregnant. "We were asked if we wanted to terminate the pregnancy. That was a heartbreaking thing to be asked," Ms White said. "No child asks to be born, but we wanted to say we did everything we could to give him a life. "It was hard. We knew we'd be choosing to put our baby first and this would affect our other children." She added that if "any of my children were unwell, there's not a thing I wouldn't do for them". "I decided my unborn baby deserved that same respect. He is my child." Ms White sought to raise awareness that one in 100 babies are born with a congenital heart defect. Hugo's heart condition meant "the whole left side of his heart is small, including his valves". During surgery in January, he had an aortic arch repair and ASD [atrial septal defect] closure at Westmead Children's Hospital. Ms White said the surgeons and cardiologists were "amazing". "You can tell they really do care. They truly want the best for the child," she said. Hugo was in ICU for two months and a cardiac ward for a month. During this time, Hugo's dad Tyson Holding lost his job after his place of work was sold. A GoFundMe, titled "Hugo's Journey", has been started to help the family. Hugo went home for 10 weeks, but a follow-up echo scan showed his heart pressures were high. He returned to hospital last month for a diagnostic procedure. "He lost blood and went downhill. There was an issue with the ventilation machine. At one point, it wasn't working properly," Ms White said. "He ended up in ICU and didn't bounce back. After two days, they decided to intubate him, putting tubes down his nose and throat to take over the lungs' work." The doctors were concerned for Hugo's life, so he underwent a second open-heart surgery on May 30, called the Ross procedure, to replace his aortic valve with his own pulmonary valve. His pulmonary valve was replaced with a donor valve. "They've said the blood flow is looking a lot better now and his heart pressures are down," Ms White said. "His recovery so far is a lot better than last time. Fingers crossed he keeps on that path." Doctors have said Hugo's mitral valve will probably need replacing in future with a mechanical valve. Now five months old, Hugo is in a ward at Westmead for children with heart conditions. "After a big surgery, they put them on a lot of opioids like morphine and fentanyl. He's now being weaned from the drugs, which takes weeks. "The scariest part is the recovery and the things that can go wrong after surgery. It's really hard on the little babies." The family, including three of Hugo's four siblings, is staying at Ronald McDonald House. "I would like to give a shout out to Ronald McDonald House and the charity HeartKids," Ms White said.
