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In Alabama, a teenager who survived a severe shark attack is advocating for the creation of a warning system aimed at enhancing safety for beachgoers. Lulu Gribbin, now aged 16, was one of three victims of an aggressive shark encounter on June 7, 2024, near the Florida Panhandle, resulting in the loss of her left hand and significant injuries to her leg. On a recent visit to the Alabama Statehouse, she urged local lawmakers to endorse a proposed shark attack alert system.
The initiative, proposed by Republican Representative David Faulkner, seeks to establish an alert mechanism akin to the existing Amber Alert system. This system would notify the public of any unprovoked shark attacks that occur nearby.
“Just ninety minutes before my incident, another shark attack occurred a couple of miles down the coast,” Gribbin recounted, emphasizing that prior knowledge of that event would have kept her and her companion out of the water that day. “Implementing this bill could help prevent future incidents and save lives,” she added.
The Alabama House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee has already approved the bill, which is now poised for consideration by the full House of Representatives.
On the day of the attack, Gribbin and her friend were enjoying the water, collecting sand dollars, when her friend alerted her to the presence of a shark. “I noticed a large shadow, but we just started swimming for our lives,” she recalled. While attempting to remain calm, she knew that excessive movement could attract sharks. Unfortunately, the predator struck first.
“The shark bit my hand initially. I remember lifting it out of the water and realizing with shock that it was gone. I felt numb due to the shock, but then the shark went for my leg,” she shared.
A bystander she regards as a true hero rushed to rescue her from the water. After blacking out, Gribbin regained consciousness on the beach, where a team of medical professionals, present that day, worked quickly to assist her. “I concentrated on keeping my eyes open and breathing… I just wanted to reach the hospital,” she said.
According to CBS affiliate WIAT, Gribbin was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, where her mother reported that the first words she spoke after regaining consciousness were “I made it.”
Gribbin elaborated on her statement, reflecting, “Through the pain, agony, sorrow, and grief, I made it.” Her recovery journey has resonated across social media, with many expressing admiration for her resilience as she visited the statehouse.
Shark Populations and Attack Statistics
Diving deeper into the issue, Gavin Naylor, director of the shark research program at the Florida Museum of Natural History, noted that while sharks are frequently present along the Alabama and Florida coasts, unprovoked attacks are rare. He stated that worldwide, there are typically 50 to 90 unprovoked shark bites each year. Moreover, a series of three attacks on the same day in close range is an exceptionally unusual occurrence.
Even though the presence of sharks in coastal waters is a common reality, Naylor explained that one attack generally does not predispose to another in a short timeframe. He speculated that favorable weather conditions on that day may have drawn numerous small fish closer to the shore, consequently attracting sharks. “On any given day, you could see numerous bull sharks just offshore, but they typically avoid interacting with the public,” he remarked.
Naylor also pointed out that rip currents pose a far greater threat to beachgoers than sharks. Last year, only four fatalities from shark attacks were reported worldwide. In contrast, the U.S. Lifesaving Association estimates that rip currents result in approximately 100 deaths annually in the United States.
A database maintained by the Florida Museum of Natural History and the University of Florida indicated a noticeable decline in shark attacks throughout 2024, significantly below the yearly average. Notably, Florida accounted for half of all U.S. shark attacks last year, continuing an established trend.
While the proposed alert system is specific to Alabama, Faulkner expressed hope that other states might emulate this initiative or that a federal framework could be introduced for broader application.
He expressed concern, stating, “There was a shark attack just along the beach, yet no alert was issued. In today’s technological age, we should not allow such an oversight.” The bill has since been amended to issue alerts specifically for unprovoked attacks occurring off the coast, addressing earlier concerns that proposed alerts for “imminent danger” could lead to excessive warnings and negatively impact tourism.
Governor Kay Ivey has publicly endorsed the legislation, describing it as an “additional tool” for safeguarding public safety and praising Gribbin as a courageous inspiration.
Gribbin has also established the Lulu Strong Foundation, aiming to accelerate access to prosthetics for amputees and to develop lighter alternatives. “Through my foundation, I want to help children experience life fully, just as I aspire to do as an amputee,” she expressed.
Source
www.cbsnews.com