Teen Survives Brutal Shark Attack
Lulu Gribbin, 15, lost her hand and leg after a bull shark attacked her in Florida.
Terror in Shallow Water
Lulu was swimming at waist-height on Seacrest Beach in June 2024. She stayed in the shallows because she feared sharks. Suddenly, a bull shark bit her arm and leg. She saw her hand was gone and realized only flesh and bone remained. The teen lost two-thirds of her blood during the attack.
Saved by Beach Angels
Three medical experts were on the beach that day. Nurse Delanie Quinnelly used T-shirts and towels as tourniquets. Radiologist Mohammad Ali used a beach chair strap to cinch her femoral artery. Doctor Ryan Forbess checked her pulse and prepared for heart failure. Lulu calls these strangers her “angels on the beach.”
Recovery and New Life
Lulu underwent nine surgeries to clean infections and amputate her right leg. She spent 77 days in rehab and learned to walk on a prosthetic leg. Most patients take a year, but Lulu succeeded in just months. Now 17, she even uses her prosthetic status to improve her golf swing.
Creating a Safer Future
The family started the Lulu Strong Foundation to help other amputees. They also fought for “Lulu’s Law” to create a shark attack alert system. This system sends mobile warnings if an attack occurs nearby. Finally, Lulu hope to compete in the Paralympics one day.