Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — On the eve of the one-year anniversary of Lulu Gribbin's nearly fatal shark attack, I could hear children laughing and playing with their family pets in the background, negotiating who gets to toss the ball next. “Are you done with your noodles” cried out the father, Dr. Ryan Forbess of Orange Beach, Alabama. Apologizing for the noise and distractions, he explained, “We are packing up to head out in the morning—back to the same place, actually.”

On June 7th, 2024, the Forbess family of five was at the beach in Florida, vacationing with family friends, the Alis. Dr. Forbess and his eldest son were out in the water with Dr. Moh Ali and his daughter, boogie boarding and splashing around, while the rest of the group watched from the shore. “My youngest son was actually in time-out at the moment for going out too far,” later reflecting on the blessing that was.

Suddenly, everything changed, chaos erupted with shouts and screams as beachgoers rushed to exit the water. Some were unsure of what was happening in those initial moments, scrambling to get themselves and their loved ones to the sand. “We thought maybe someone had just seen a shark, but as we were running up to the beach to get our kids to safety, I looked back and saw waves of blood. I said, ‘Oh, this is the real deal.’” Dr. Forbess recalls Dr. Ali’s wife shouting, “I think someone’s hurt!” The men sprang into action, running toward the commotion and reaching Lulu at the shoreline just as others were pulling her out of the water. “I’ll never forget what I saw that day—just that shiny white femur bone.”

Dr. Ali started applying pressure to Lulu’s artery using the strength of his hand as a makeshift tourniquet. Dr. Forbess checked her carotid pulse as bystanders turned heroes jumped into action, frantically looking for items to use as a tourniquet. Two nurses, along with others, joined the effort to save Lulu. Delanie Richardson, a nurse who had been practicing for only nine months, turned to a nearby beach goer and retrieved the drawstring from his swim trunks to use on Lulu's arm, which was also a source of massive blood loss. Ultimately, a sturdy ratchet strap was chosen as the best substitute for Dr. Ali’s firm hand as the tourniquet. It was reported later that this strap had been an impulse purchase.

Lulu not only benefited from the efforts of a community rallying to save her life—like leaning back in the sand to encourage blood flow until professional help could arrive—but she also had the support of her twin sister, who never left her side, holding her hand, along with an emotional but praying mother. Due to the landscape, seawall, and the location of the attack, it seemed to take responders an eternity to navigate back down the beach to reach Lulu. Dr. Forbess describes the shared moment of silence among all present as she was taken away. “My kids, my wife, and I just took hands and said a prayer for her to make it.”

Unsure of the outcome but hoping for the best, expecting the worst, the family received news while boarding the trolley to leave the beach that another shark attack had occurred only an hour before Lulu's incident. Dr. Forbess remembers saying, “Man, we need some sort of alert system.” This culminated in the introduction of the “Lulu Law”. Not only does Lulu's story illustrate incredible odds and provide inspiration, but it has also paved the way for change. Dr. Forbess commended the bill and even wrote a letter on its behalf. “It may not prevent tragedy, but at least it would make people more aware of what is out there” in real time. The system will use wireless emergency alerts to notify both first responders and beachgoers of confirmed unprovoked shark attacks in the Baldwin and Mobile County areas.

Lulu was transferred to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Florida, and later that night, through a friend, the families received the best news: Lulu would pull through. “I’m not super religious, but this was definitely an act of God,” Dr. Forbess reflected. The fortunate circumstances of having a radiologist who loves the gym just steps away to apply massive pressure to the wound within minutes of the attack, along with a trauma-trained medical doctor, two trauma-trained nurses, and an anesthesiologist ready to assist with her airways, were incredible. Dr. Forbess tries to calculate the chances of such a perfect alignment of care, expressing that this all had to be part of a greater plan. “She’s definitely meant to be here.”

In the year since the incident, Lulu has adapted to her new reality, learning how to walk again, ski, play golf, basketball, and much more. Though she lost her left hand and part of her right leg, this extraordinary young girl—a former athlete and a busy teenager—now faces new physical and mental challenges. However, the obstacles she has already overcome demonstrate that she is more than just a miracle survivor.