Two Girls Injured in Recent Shark Attacks in South Carolina and Florida Amid Rising Summer Beach Activity

Hilton Head's Sea Pines

A 12-year-old girl was airlifted from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, after being bitten by a shark while swimming near Sea Pines, authorities confirmed. The incident occurred on Tuesday and marks the second shark bite injury involving a child in just over a week.

Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue reported the girl sustained a leg injury with lacerations consistent with a shark bite. Emergency dispatch audio revealed the severity of her condition, with a first responder stating, “She has lost a good amount of blood so far.” The unidentified girl was treated on scene by Shore Beach Services and fire rescue teams before being flown to Savannah, Georgia. Her injuries were not life-threatening, officials said.

Just days earlier, 9-year-old Leah Lendel suffered a serious shark bite while snorkeling off Boca Grande on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The June 11 attack nearly severed her hand. Leah was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital where she underwent multiple surgeries to reattach the limb.

Leah Lendel, 9, recovering at Tampa General Hospital after she was bitten by a shark while snorkeling with her family. (Tampa General Hospital)

Speaking from her hospital bed during a press briefing, Leah recalled the terrifying moment. “I didn’t see anything. I was just snorkeling,” she said. “I went up to breathe. And then, something hard bit me and tried to take me away. Then I picked up my hand and it was all in blood. I started screaming with my mom.”

Her mother, Nadia Lendel, feared the worst. “It’s some sort of miracle that now she has a hand,” she said, her voice breaking. Her father, Jay Lendel, described sprinting to the road while carrying Leah, desperate for help after seeing the extent of her injuries.

Leah Lendel's hand following the shark attack. (Tampa General Hospital)

Orthopedic surgeons Dr. Alfred Hess and Dr. Joshua Linnell credited Leah’s survival and recovery to the clean nature of the shark’s bite and the critical timing of her arrival at the hospital. “A shark injury is both a curse and a blessing,” said Dr. Hess. “Because the shark’s teeth are so sharp, the cut was clean, which allowed us to preserve good tissue.”

Leah’s care included emotional support from Belle, the hospital’s trained facility dog, who visited her daily during her recovery. Leah, who proudly showed off her special recovery pillow at the press conference, said she’s eager to heal and return to “playing with all my siblings.”

Beachgoers and local residents have expressed concern following the two separate attacks. “It’s kind of nerve-racking,” said Naomi Vereb, a Hilton Head visitor.

Shark bite incidents remain rare, but not unheard of. In 2024, the International Shark Attack File confirmed 71 shark bite cases worldwide, 47 of which were unprovoked. Four of those were fatal. Experts continue to caution swimmers to be alert in the water, particularly during peak summer months.