On Friday, a 15-year-old girl was bitten by a shark along a Florida beach, and two doctors are receiving praise for quickly rushing to her aid.
While enjoying a day out with their children, Ryan Forbess and Mohammad Ali spotted a group of people in a state of panic on the shores of Rosemary Beach in Walton County. The two were riding boogie boards at the time.
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According to Forbess, everyone began to flee from the water when the shark attack occurred. He recounted grabbing his son and noticing his friend doing the same with his daughter. As they made their way towards the beach, Forbess looked to his left and saw the water turning a cloudy red color as a result of the attack.
According to the outlet, the two individuals quickly came to the aid of 15-year-old Lulu Gribbin and her friend, McCray Gaust, 17, after the pair encountered a dangerous situation. Gribbin sustained severe injuries to her upper leg and hand, while her companion only suffered minor foot injuries.
As the girls were enjoying their time in the water, a shark suddenly attacked them, leaving them waist deep in the water.
As soon as they saw the severity of Gribbin’s injuries, the doctors, trauma nurses, and emergency medical technicians sprang into action. They swiftly applied tourniquets to her hand and leg and applied pressure to her wounds in an attempt to stem the bleeding.
Ali immediately recognized the gravity of the injury when he saw her lying on the ground. He knew that someone with medical expertise had to step in and offer assistance.
Most of the medical practitioners collaborating with each other were strangers. However, Forbess, a family medicine specialist from Alabama, and Ali, an interventional radiologist from Mississippi, make it a point to visit the region annually along with their families.
According to Forbess, his experience working with the group of responders felt like he had been part of the team for years.
He expressed his amazement, stating that it was a remarkable turn of events. According to him, it felt like divine intervention had brought everyone together to provide assistance at the same time.
After being admitted to the hospital, the child’s family was contacted by the duo who had a conversation with them. The family confirmed that the child is expected to make a full recovery.
As her daughter received care, Ann Blair Gribbin, Gibbin’s mother, took to the internet to share updates about the journey. She provided a detailed account of the trip.
The mother expressed her enthusiasm about their first mother-daughter beach trip. She shared that the first two days were delightful, filled with beach activities, spending time with friends, and enjoying dinners together.
According to her, the family was strolling towards the beach when they suddenly heard people shouting about a shark sighting. They immediately began searching for their daughter, but soon enough, a sense of panic set in, and they all started running towards the beach.
As the writer approached the beach, it was bustling with a crowd of curious onlookers. Suddenly, a group of individuals caught her attention as they huddled around a person lying on the ground. Upon closer inspection, she realized that it was Lulu. Ellie, the daughter of the writer, appeared by her side and informed her that it was indeed Lulu. The writer couldn’t help but scream upon noticing the wounds on Lulu’s leg.
Lulu’s mother recounted the harrowing experience of finding her daughter in a lifeless state, with closed eyes and a white, pale mouth. The wound on her leg, or what remained of it, looked like something straight out of a movie. After finally reaching her daughter’s side, Lulu’s mother held her hand and made eye contact. She reassured Lulu that she was there with her.
As I approached her, I noticed that her eyes were wide open. I couldn’t tell how long she had been lying there or what had caused her condition. In no time, the beach truck arrived, and the EMTs skillfully placed her on a board and returned her to the truck, which then whisked her away to the hospital via air transport.
According to Gibbin’s mother, her daughter suffered the loss of her left hand and had to undergo the amputation of part of her right leg during the attack.
According to the mother’s account, it is unclear who first spotted the shark. However, Lulu claimed that she was attacked first, with the shark biting her hand and then her leg. The shark then went after her friend’s foot. Fortunately, a man came to Lulu’s aid and helped her out of the water, while a young boy assisted in carrying her to the shore.
The three surgeons and all the nursing staff and doctors at the hospital who saved Lulu have my eternal gratitude. I am also thankful for the doctors and nurses who were present on the beach that day, as well as the EMTs and crew who assisted in the air. I cannot express enough my appreciation for the individual who bravely pulled her out of the water. Lulu’s recovery would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of these amazing individuals.
The specific type of shark that attacked the girls remains unknown.
While patrolling the area, Walton County Sheriff’s Deputies observed a 14-foot hammerhead shark in close proximity to the site of the recent attacks. However, they clarified that the shark’s presence in those waters was not out of the ordinary.
In a written statement, the sheriff’s office emphasized that sharks are constantly present in the Gulf. They advised swimmers and beachgoers to exercise caution while swimming and remain mindful of their surroundings.
