Latest news with #RaynelLugo
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Man who rushed in to aid girl bitten in Boca Grande shark attack now facing deportation
One of the men who went into the water off Boca Grande to help after a 9-year-old girl was bitten this month by a shark, Luis Alvarez, was arrested a few days later for driving without a license. He is now in the Collier County Jail facing deportation. Alvarez, 31, of Lehigh Acres, was stopped about 1:30 a.m. on June 14 while driving on West Main Street in Immokalee without his headlights on. The Collier County Sheriff's Office arrest report says he was driving a gray SUV with a Rhode Island tag. When asked for his license Alvarez called up a picture of his Employment Authorization Card on his phone. He told the arresting officer in Spanish that he has been in the country for 2 1/2 years and has never had a driver's license, the report stated. Alverez was arrested for driving without a license and issued a warning for not having the headlights on. The arrest report says Alvarez is from Boaco, Nicaragua. Court records indicate he is being held for in the jail by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He is scheduled to go before a judge on July 9. Leah Lendel sustained severe injuries after she was bitten by a shark a few feet off the beach in Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island. Her hand was nearly severed, but fast action at the scene and an airlift to Tampa General Hospital allowed surgeons to re-attach her hand. She is recovering. Raynel Lugo, who also helped during the rescue, said in an interview with Fox4 News, which first reported the Alverez arrest, that Alvarez went in the water first to scare the shark and help Lendel's sister. "He jumped in that area to bring her out when I was assisting Leah," said Lugo in the Fox4 interview. "He went deep underwater, not even caring about the shark. He went really deep. He probably faced the shark." Body camera footage from a Lee County Sheriff's Office Deputy who responded to the call shows the three men standing next to the water as Leah was being treated by EMS. Alvarez, through an interpreter, told first responders it looked like about an eight-foot shark. Experts later said it was possibly a bull shark, one of the more aggressive sharks in Florida waters. Court records indicate Alvarez has no arrest history in Collier County. He was arrested on similar charges four times in Lee County dating back to December 2023. He paid fines or had adjudication withheld by three different judges. In the most recent case the judge issued a D6 suspension on June 23, meaning Alvarez had not paid his fine and was unable to apply for a license. Alvarez is represented in 2024 by attorney Jose Calvo. He could not be reached for comment. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Luis Alvarez rushed to help after shark bite, now faces deportation
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Man who rushed in to aid girl bitten in Boca Grande shark attack now facing deportation
One of the men who went into the water off Boca Grande to help after a 9-year-old girl was bitten this month by a shark, Luis Alvarez, was arrested a few days later for driving without a license. He is now in the Collier County Jail facing deportation. Alvarez, 31, of Lehigh Acres, was stopped about 1:30 a.m. on June 14 while driving on West Main Street in Immokalee without his headlights on. The Collier County Sheriff's Office arrest report says he was driving a gray SUV with a Rhode Island tag. When asked for his license Alvarez called up a picture of his Employment Authorization Card on his phone. He told the arresting officer in Spanish that he has been in the country for 2 1/2 years and has never had a driver's license, the report stated. Alverez was arrested for driving without a license and issued a warning for not having the headlights on. The arrest report says Alvarez is from Boaco, Nicaragua. Court records indicate he is being held for in the jail by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He is scheduled to go before a judge on July 9. Leah Lendel sustained severe injuries after she was bitten by a shark a few feet off the beach in Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island. Her hand was nearly severed, but fast action at the scene and an airlift to Tampa General Hospital allowed surgeons to re-attach her hand. She is recovering. Raynel Lugo, who also helped during the rescue, said in an interview with Fox4 News, which first reported the Alverez arrest, that Alvarez went in the water first to scare the shark and help Lendel's sister. "He jumped in that area to bring her out when I was assisting Leah," said Lugo in the Fox4 interview. "He went deep underwater, not even caring about the shark. He went really deep. He probably faced the shark." Body camera footage from a Lee County Sheriff's Office Deputy who responded to the call shows the three men standing next to the water as Leah was being treated by EMS. Alvarez, through an interpreter, told first responders it looked like about an eight-foot shark. Experts later said it was possibly a bull shark, one of the more aggressive sharks in Florida waters. Court records indicate Alvarez has no arrest history in Collier County. He was arrested on similar charges four times in Lee County dating back to December 2023. He paid fines or had adjudication withheld by three different judges. In the most recent case the judge issued a D6 suspension on June 23, meaning Alvarez had not paid his fine and was unable to apply for a license. Alvarez is represented in 2024 by attorney Jose Calvo. He could not be reached for comment. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Luis Alvarez rushed to help after shark bite, now faces deportation
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘It was still chasing her': 9-year-old girl attacked by shark while swimming at Florida beach
BOCA GRANDE, Fla. (WFLA) — A family vacation took a terrifying turn after a 9-year-old girl was attacked by a shark in the waters off Boca Grande. Video from Eagle 8 HD showed the calm, turquoise water where Leah Lendel's family vacation turned into a nightmare. 9-year-old girl recovering at Tampa hospital after hand torn off by shark, family says 'We saw the shark rushing in the water, it was right there, right behind her,' said witness Raynel Lugo. 'We were trying to get her out… it was still chasing her.' Lugo, who was nearby, jumped into action. 'Yes, I helped little Leah to get out of the water,' he said. 'I thought it was someone drowning —then we saw the shark and the blood coming from her hands. That's when we knew it was serious.' Lugo also dialed 911. The urgency in his voice was clear in the call. 'Is anyone injured by that shark?' the operator asked. 'Yes, the shark bit the arm of the little kid,' Lugo replied. 'I didn't think at all,' Lugo added. 'The whole thing was: get the kids out of the water.' 911 call released after 9-year-old girl attacked by shark at Florida beach A nearby construction worker also rushed over after hearing screams. 'When I heard them yelling, 'Help, help,' that's when we ran out and saw the little girl crying,' he said. 'Everybody was in shock.' Marine Biologist Deby Cassill from the University of South Florida said shark sightings may increase this time of year. 'They are hungrier this time of year, and anything moving or splashing will attract their attention,' she explained. Cassill recommends families stick to busier beaches where sharks are less likely to approach. 'Go to beaches where there is a large population of other people,' she said. 'It could reduce the chances of an encounter.' Leah Lendel remained hospitalized Thursday with her family awaiting her recovery. Leah's family said she nearly lost her hand in the attack. Surgeons managed to reattach her hand after a six-hour surgery. The Lendel family provided the following statement Thursday night: 'We want to say Thank You to everyone that is praying for our sweet Leah. We are thankful for the quick response of everyone that was on scene, the construction workers and residents that ran out to help and the first responders and to all the doctors/nurses that are doing everything to help our girl. Yesterday Leah had an extensive surgery on her hand (wrist & fingers). The doctors were able to get blood flow to her hand and fingers. She is showing some movement in two fingers but can't feel the rest. The doctors will be doing another procedure tomorrow to see if there is anything else that needs to be done. The fact that Leah has all her fingers attached is already a testimony. From witnessing her wrist hanging on by just the skin, to have blood flow in all of her hand and fingers is truly a miracle. Please keep praying for our family, our God is a miracle worker.' The Lendel family Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
