“Matt ran into the huge amount of blood in the ocean”: Strangers, including two vacationing doctors, burst into action to save a teenage girl who lost her leg to a shark
· Jun 15, 2024 · NottheBee.com

Last week, Ann Blair Gribbin and her twin teenage daughters Lulu and Ellie were enjoying a girl's trip to Rosemary Beach, Florida, along with some friends when Lulu suffered a devastating shark attack.

Both Lulu and her friend were attacked by the shark, with her friend suffering an injury to her foot, and Lulu ultimately losing both her hand and leg.

During the attack, several brave men rushed towards the young girls, beating off the shark, and bringing the girls to shore.

One of those men was Matthew Lidle. His wife, Rachel Lidle, shared the story from their perspective on her Facebook saying,

Yesterday, while we were swimming in Inlet Beach, Florida we witnessed something so tragic when two teenage girls were attacked by a shark within feet of us. It was complete panic. Without giving it a second thought, Matt ran into the huge amount of blood in the ocean and carried her to shore putting his life in great danger. I can't express how much admiration I have for him. I absolutely know God put us there for a reason and it was Matt's selfless sacrifice to help save her. Please keep the girls and their families in your prayers.

Once on the shore, they were met with two doctors, Dr. Ryan Forbess and Dr. Moh Ali, along with two trauma nurses, who were vacationing at the Florida beach. The doctors quickly worked to put a tourniquet on Lulu's wrist and leg while beach patrol and first responders rushed to the scene.

A coworker of the doctors at Orange Beach Family Medicine, Shari Woody, said,

Dr. Ali is a radiologist and he knew exactly where to put pressure on the girl's limbs. It looked like a trauma unit at work, except it was happening on a beach.

Woody went on to say,

It had to be a God thing. All of those people being in the exact place where they were needed was a miracle.

Lulu was then airlifted to Sacred Heart Pensacola where her leg had to be amputated. She still faces several surgeries in the upcoming days, but her mom has shared that Lulu is alert and continuing to gain strength.

Here is a local news report:

Ann Blair Gribbin shared,

I know this was a terrible accident, but God was there and had the people there who helped save her life. Lulu said she felt God in the back of the beach truck. She is truly a miracle. We have a long road ahead and our journey is just beginning!

Earlier the same day, a 45-year-old woman lost a foot in a shark attack about four miles away. Authorities suspect that the same shark is responsible for attacking all three victims. Thankfully, all three are in stable condition.


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