A shark attack in Florida this weekend left two teenagers injured, one seriously, in a tragedy that could have been much worse if not for the heroic efforts of several passers-by on the beach and in the ocean.
Rick Carl Good news from Rick Carl They posted a story on their Facebook page honoring the heroes who saved lives at Seacrest Beach.
Dr. Ryan Forbes and Dr. Mo Ali of Orange Beach Family Medicine responded to the scene and began providing treatment immediately after the man pulled one of the girls from the water, Karl said.
“Doctors, nurses, lifeguards, paramedics, fire department personnel and of course regular people like us all came together to save lives,” Karl said.
Lulu Gribbin, 15, of Mountain Brook, Alabama, lost an arm and a leg in the attack, but her life was saved thanks to the heroic efforts of Matthew Riddle, who rushed into the scene and rescued Gribbin.
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“Matt without a second thought ran through tons of blood in the water and risked his own life to bring her to shore. Words cannot express how much I respect him. God put us there for a reason and there is no doubt that Matt made a selfless sacrifice to save her,” his wife Rachel wrote on her personal Facebook page.
According to Karl's report, 16-year-old McCray Faust was bitten by the shark on his lower leg but survived.
But what could have been a tragic situation was made better by ordinary people simply coming together and helping each other.
“It was like working in a trauma room, but on the beach,” said Shari Woody, an employee at Orange Beach Family Medicine.
“It must have been an act of God. It was a miracle that everyone was exactly where they needed to be,” she said.
Michael Browner is a senior sports analyst and contributor to Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on Twitter. translation: Listen to him weekdays from 6am to 9am. WNSP-FM 105.5's “Opening Kickoff” Available online for free.
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