Many of us need updates regarding shark attack victims in Florida. I stumbled across one particular inspirational shark attack survivor story from this past summer that was posted on James Spann’s Facebook page.
With over a million followers, Spann, AMS certified media meteorologist and host of the WeatherBrains podcast, updates are plentiful on a variety of topics — including Florida human interest articles.
Lulu Gribbin
On June 7, 2024, Lulu Gribbin was one of three swimmers on the Gulf Coast who was injured in a shark attack. What started as her first mother-daughter vacation turned into a nightmare.
Two separate and serious incidents occurred over the course of about 90 minutes that day. The first attack happened around 1:30 p.m. A 45-year-old woman was bitten around her midsection, pelvis, and left arm. She was in critical condition and airlifted to HCA Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.
Approximately four miles away and just before 3 p.m. that same afternoon, a second shark attack took place on two teen girls, 15 and 17, as they swam on a sandbar.
Anne Blair Gribbin, the mother of attack victim Lulu, recounted the scene as “something out of a movie” and said her 15-year-old daughter was on a sand bar in waist-high water looking for sand dollars when she was bitten.
Her screams rang out.
A beachgoer grabbed Lulu by her uninjured arm and pulled her out of the water. Two vacationing doctors and a nurse were on site. They quickly assessed her wounds and applied tourniquets.
According to Anne, her daughter was in surgery when the family got to the hospital. They were informed that Lulu’s hand was bitten off, her leg amputated, and she had lost 2/3 of her blood.
Her first words out of surgery, her mother said, were, “I made it.”
Within days, Lulu was airlifted to another hospital to continue her care under the guidance of a specialist for multi-extremity amputees.
A few short weeks later, Lulu achieved many milestones in recovery with some setbacks. Lulu’s progress got waylaid. Due to a fluid buildup, she required another surgery on her leg to flush out bacteria.
Treatments involved specialists in physical therapy and psychology. Soon, Lulu could stand on her own and even transitioned from her bed to a chair and back.
She was given guidance about prosthetics from another patient amputee.
Lulu Gribbin’s mom, Anne, shares her story on Caring Bridge starting from the attack and through the recovery process.
“Nothing about her personality or funny, smart, loving self has changed one bit. She may have lost her hand and her leg, but she is here, and we are truly grateful for that.” — Anne Gribbin, Lulu’s mom
Lulu Gribbin Today
Just months after becoming a double amputee, Lulu can be seen at the driving range. “Getting better (and having fun) every day!”
The FWC recommends safety tips to reduce shark bite risks like not wearing jewelry in the ocean, not allowing pets in the water, staying in groups, and using caution in murky waters, fishing areas, or waters containing sewage.
Always stay in groups since sharks are more likely to bite a solitary individual.
Do not wander too far from shore.
Don’t swim during twilight or dark hours when sharks are most active.
Do not enter the water if bleeding from an open wound or menstruating.
Bright-colored clothing may draw a shark’s attention.
Refrain from excess splashing.
Use caution in areas between sandbars or near steep drop-offs.
Swim only in areas tended by lifeguards.
Do not enter the water if sharks are known to be present, and get out of the water if sharks are sighted.
