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Teen Survivor Recounts Horrific Shark Attack
15 Jan
Summary
- Lulu Gribbin lost her left hand and part of her right leg in a shark attack.
- She miraculously survived a severe injury that severed her femoral artery.
- Eleven months later, she returned to the attack site for healing.
In June 2024, 15-year-old Lulu Gribbin experienced a life-altering shark attack while swimming in waist-deep water off Seacrest Beach, Florida. A bull shark severed her left hand and severely injured her right leg, causing her to lose two-thirds of her blood. Medics on the scene, including bystanders who applied tourniquets, were crucial in her survival before she was airlifted to the hospital.
Doctors determined that amputation was necessary for her right leg, in addition to the loss of her hand. Following multiple surgeries to combat infection, Lulu underwent extensive rehabilitation. She learned to walk again on prosthetic limbs, achieving this milestone much faster than the average amputee. Her resilience was evident when she returned to the attack site just eleven months later.
Now 17, Lulu has channeled her experience into advocacy, co-founding the Lulu Strong Foundation to improve access to prosthetic technology. Her family also championed 'Lulu's Law,' a shark attack alert system for Alabama beaches. Lulu remains optimistic about the future, aspiring to compete in the Paralympics.
