USA Update

A WOMAN was left stunned when she returned to her car and found it had melted – leaving her without a vehicle for weeks.

Tracey Casteel was one of many drivers who, one month after a major parking garage fire that damaged 50 cars, is still struggling for information on her set of wheels.

Action News Jax

Multiple cars were left burned to a crisp after a fire at Jacksonville International Airport in May[/caption]

Action News Jax

Many drivers are still waiting on answers from the airport and valet service[/caption]

Action News Jax

One said she only found out her vehicle had melted after seeing it on the news[/caption]

The Jacksonville International Airport has caused hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage and left multiple car owners awaiting some sort of compensation and explanation.

Speaking to Action News Jax, Casteel said she was told by the valet company SP+ when she returned to the garage on May 19 that they were unable to get her car – and that she had to take a Lyft or Uber.

She later found out it had melted after seeing it on the news.

“It’s like when I watch my cat chase her tail. It’s just you’re going in circles, only you’re hitting brick walls everywhere you go,” said Casteel.

She says she contacted the airport when the fire first happened, but added: “I did the little online thing of putting in your car and everything, but everything tells you if you’re valet parked that you have to talk to the valet folks.

“I have attempted to reach the airport through social media and different things like that. I’ve gotten no response from the airport.”

As she’s struggling to get to her car, it also means her insurance can’t help her out.

Since the incident, she’s been forced to pay for a rental while she tries to get some answers from the airport or the valet company.

She said: “The airport has not necessarily talked directly to the folks that valet parked, because valet parking is managed by another company.

“They have spoken to us, and I actually was able to reach out to a couple of different folks, even at their corporate office in leadership roles, but they can only tell us what the airport tells them.

“Just trying to get some answers has been extremely frustrating.”

ALL’S WELL THAT END’S WELL

Elsewhere, a woman was left fuming after someone else’s mistake seemingly cost her $3,000 in fees to get her car back from a tow company.

Kenethia Dunning of Birmingham, Alabama, had her 2012 Hyundai Elantra stolen back in April, hours after she returned home from work.

It left her without her much-needed vehicle for nearly a month and worried she’d never see it returned.

As reported by WBRC, Dunning revealed thieves shattered her car’s window and used a simple USB charger – in a method known as the “Kia Challenge”, which takes advantage of a security flaw in certain Hyundai and Kia models – to drive off.

She said: “I didn’t know which way to turn, I didn’t know if I was going to get my car back or anything.”

Naturally, she reported the theft to the Birmingham Police, but weeks passed with no updates while her car, unknown to Dunning, was found by Midfield Police the same day it was stolen.

It was then towed to local tow company King Boyz Towing and Recovery, but failed to be entered into the state database as a recovered stolen vehicle until weeks later.

This meant that, when the car was finally located, Dunning was slapped with a bill of some $3,000 in storage fees.

Marcus King, owner of King Boyz Towing and Recovery, believes something fell through the cracks during the handoff between police and the state system.

Legally, King had every right to collect the fee, but brilliantly, after learning the full story, he decided to waive the charges entirely.

“We believe in our folks, we’re going to take care of them if we can – we just got to make sure that our customers are happy,” he added.

Dunning says the act of kindness has lifted a weight off her shoulders.

ALDI is known for its incredible food and drink dupes – but now and again, they surprise us with a beauty dupe to rival the real deal.

Now, the supermarket has come out with a moisturizing beauty buy that is perfect for summer.

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Aldi has beauty fans rcing for their latest dupe[/caption]

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The bargain-friendly store’ night cream has lots of anti-aging benefits[/caption]

From perfume that smells just like designer versions, to makeup that’s been compared to the likes of Charlotte Tilbury – Aldi has got it all.

But it’s their new Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream that has shoppers rushing to stores.

The $4.29 cream has a blend of retinol and Coenzyme Q10 to reverse the signs of aging and keep skin silky soft.

There’s a multitude of reasons retinol is so good for the skin – from increasing cell production, exfoliation, banishing dark marks, acne, and increasing collagen production.

While Coenzyme Q10 has been proven to penetrate the skin and protect against skin damage on a cellular level.

It is also fragrance-free, so that even those with sensitive skin can use it.

And what makes the product even better is that it’s a dupe of the viral Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream.

One thing to note with the Aldi dupe is that you will need to use SPF daily while using it.

While retinol is amazing for rejuvenating the skin, it also increases skin sensitivity to sun exposure.

Like with any Aldi product, you’d best head to stores quickly, as once it’s gone, it’s gone.

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It’s been said to be a dupe of Drunk Elephant for a fraction of the price[/caption]

BEAUTY BARGAINS

But the moisturizer isn’t the only bargain to pick up from the supermarket right now.

A beauty lover recently took to social media to show off the amazing range of beauty dupes available in Aldi at the moment, including a hand cream that resembles the cult-favourite L’Occitane one.

In the post, they wrote: “New Aldi beauty dupes out now!”

The bargain store is also selling a super moisturising hand cream for just 69 cents, which is a must-have with the current weather to stop your hands from cracking.

It’s also a dupe of the L’Occitane hand cream which is a cult-favourite among beauty fans.

Both hand creams contain shea butter and coconut oil for a hydrating finish.

There was also a dupe for the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish facial cleanser.

As well as a day and night moisturiser for the face called Rejuvelate for $3.79 each, compared to L’Oreal’s Revitalift creams.

To finish your moisturising skincare routine you can also pick up a Q10 renew anti-wrinkle eye cream, which is said to be similar to cNivea Q10 Power cream..

COSTCO customers are slated to receive a $10 credit each month as part of a new perk intended to boost the value of a membership.

The monthly credit, automatically applied to qualifying orders placed via a popular service, expands on a key partnership Costco rolled out in 2017.

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Costco is taking strides to boost the value of its membership[/caption]

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Select Costco members will see a new perk roll out by the end of the month[/caption]

Costco operates on a members-only model, boasting approximately 140 million members worldwide and an over 90% membership renewal rate. 

Member satisfaction is at the forefront of Costco’s mind, according to company CEO Ron Vachris, who previously revealed that membership was the “most important” item sold by the retailer.

“Everything we do supports that transaction,” said the top executive.

The warehouse club offers three main membership tiers – Gold Star, Executive, and Business – and is constantly looking for ways to enhance the value it provides to its loyal members.

In a move to do just that, Costco announced on Wednesday that it would be rolling out a new delivery perk, offering a $10 monthly credit toward same-day delivery or Costco via Instacart.

The perk will begin on June 30, available to Executive Members in the US and Canada on order of at least $150.

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Costco is offering Executive Members a free $10 credit each month for qualifying delivery orders[/caption]

“Costco Executive Members expect exceptional value – and now, they can get even more delivered to their door,” said Daniel Danker, chief product officer at Instacart.

“Our new monthly credit makes it easier than ever for members across North America to get Costco’s warehouse items with the convenience of fast and reliable delivery through Instacart.”

The monthly $10 credit will be applied automatically to eligible Costco orders placed via same-day delivery or Instacart.

The warehouse club first teamed up with Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, for same-day delivery in 2017.

The duo later expanded their partnership in 2021 to launch Costco’s same-day delivery site powered by Instacart Storefront Pro.

BIG SPENDERS

While Costco’s retail merchandise accounts for the majority of its sales, its real money maker is its membership cards.

The majority of its profits come from the retailer’s hefty annual membership fees, particularly from its Executive Membership level.

Although Executive Members make up 37.6 million of Costco’s 79.6 million memberships, according to Costco data, they account for roughly 73% of the company’s profits.

Costco’s Executive Members tend to spend more at the warehouse due to the structure and benefits of their $130 membership, which is double the price of the standard Gold Star Membership.

The chain works hard to ensure their top spenders are satisfied.

For example, Costco announced earlier this month it would be rolling out earlier hours for its Executive Members.

Beginning on June 30, Executive level customers can shop at Costco one hour earlier than Gold Star members, per Business Insider.

“Our Executive Members are our most loyal members, and we want to reward them for their commitment to Costco,” read an internal email seen by the outlet.

Costco’s Executive Members enjoy other perks as well, such as 2% cash back on every dollar spent at the warehouse club. 

The retailer strongly believes in the value of its membership, even promising to refund the difference between a Gold Star membership and Executive Membership in a shopper’s first year if they are not satisfied.

As Costco launches new perks for its top-paying members, all shoppers will see changes over at the food court.

For example, Costco is making a “dumb” ordering change, sparking chaos with shoppers as it “slows things down.”

Plus, Costco is giving Starbucks a run for its money as it quietly rolls out a “refreshing” $2.99 food court treat in time for summer.

PAT McAfee has reportedly banned NFL insider Adam Schefter from his ESPN program after a behind-the-scenes decision.

ESPN has issued a statement regarding the situation involving the former NFL punter-turned-sports media personality and the reporter.

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Pat McAfee watches during workouts at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine[/caption]

ESPN

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter has been “essentially banned” from The Pat McAfee Show for a specific incident[/caption]

The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported that McAfee banned Schefter from his show after his ESPN colleague chose to appear on a rival program in March.

The report said that McAfee was upset when Schefter declined an appearance on his show during the NFL’s free agency deadline.

Instead, Schefter appeared on an ESPN2 free agency special.

The Worldwide Leader of Sports also shared that Schefter is expected to return to The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday.

McAfee and Schefter have yet to comment on the report.

But ESPN responded to the publication’s report and called it a “rumor” while also praising McAfee’s relationship with the network.

“Pat and his show are thriving on ESPN,” the statement read.

“We are very pleased with the partnership.

“That said, in the nearly three years since Pat has brought his show to our platforms, we’ve continuously seen those out there that are seemingly obsessed with wanting to see Pat fail on ESPN.

“This rumor is just the latest example of that.

“Pat and his show continue to break the mold and reach new audiences, and we look forward to the continued success together.”

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has been a regular in Schefter’s place.

But it seems that McAfee and Schefter have let bygones be bygones.

McAfee signed a $85 million deal with ESPN in 2023 for his program.

The show is broadcast on ESPN and is also shown on YouTube.

McAfee brings on plenty of guests, including Aaron Rodgers, who appears weekly during the NFL season.

The 38-year-old also hosts ESPN’s popular College GameDay.

Before joining ESPN, the former Indianapolis Colts punter worked at Barstool Sports.

TRAVELERS whose passports were lost or ruined this year could now get them replaced for free.

The TSA is waiving replacement fees, but only for those who meet strict eligibility rules.

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TSA is waiving fees, but only for those who meet strict eligibility rules (stock image)[/caption]

The program is designed for people whose valid passports were damaged or lost in federally recognized disasters.

Residents in Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma and West Virginia are among those who may qualify.

The waived fees apply to people left devastated by major natural disasters like wildfires, tornadoes, and severe storms since January.

“We understand this is a stressful time and are here to help you replace your passport,” the TSA said.

Under federal law, passport application fees can be waived for up to three years, while file search fees can be dropped for up to 18 months after a declared disaster.

But travelers won’t be reimbursed if they have already received money from another source, like homeowner’s insurance.

The waiver also does not apply to those who have never had a passport, lost an expired passport, or were impacted by an unlisted disaster.

Only specific storm events qualify, and they are listed clearly on the government’s disaster waiver page.

A valid passport must show serious damage such as liquid stains, ripped pages, unauthorized markings, or a hole punch.

Normal “wear and tear” like bent corners or minor creases doesn’t count.

Applicants must fill out Form DS-5504, include a new passport photo, and submit Form D-64, which reports the lost or stolen passport.

The DS-64 must also include the name of the disaster, the address where the passport was lost, the approximate date of loss, and a statement that the loss wasn’t covered by insurance.

If you are traveling within three weeks, do not mail the application.

Instead, make an appointment at a passport agency or center.

If you are not traveling soon, you can mail your paperwork to the addresses listed on Form DS-5504.

For each listed disaster, the fee waiver is valid through 2028, and the file search fee waiver expires after 18 months.

Applicants must act promptly, especially if their travel is approaching.

Replacement passports generally cost the same as any other passport, which is $130 if you are 16 or older.

DIFFERENT SCREENING

Meanwhile, a new TSA update will see major changes to the airport security screening process.

Passengers will be required to undergo an additional step before boarding their flight.

New technology will change how passengers screen their IDs while going through security.

This update will allow the traveler’s identification to be confirmed with their flight information without the individual providing a boarding pass.

New units will feature a camera to match the photo on a passenger’s ID with the person presenting the ID.

GETTING on the property ladder has become even harder in recent years, with stagnant wages and rising prices.

But Amazon may have the answer as the retailer is selling a two-story home for a bargain price.

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Amazon is selling a ‘double-story’ tiny home for $14,200[/caption]

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It’s fully customizable to suit your needs[/caption]

Amazon

The bathroom is kitted out with everything you would need[/caption]

The online retailer is selling a $14,200 and it has two stories to maximize space.

The tiny home is able to be customized to your exact needs, whether you’re a couple or a small family.

The home can be 20ft or 40ft and comes with a minimum of two bedrooms or a maximum of four.

The Double-Story Prefab Expandable Container Home also comes with a kitchen and bathroom, which are already installed with appliances.

The bathroom is fitted with a bath, a shower, a toilet, and a sink which features storage underneath.

Impressively, the kitchen also has lots of cupboards for storage, a large sink as well as a built in microwave and hob.

Made from steel, the structure is durable in all types of weather and ‘long-lasting.’

The house is transported to wherever you need it to be and has a modular structure, making it easy and quick to build.

The pictures give a glimpse of what the house can look like and it features huge windows to let in lots of natural light.

As well as this, the home comes with a stunning porch for you to relax on in warmer weather as well as a balcony on the upper floor.

BOOMING MARKET

Tiny homes have boomed in popularity in the United States over the past decade, mainly down to affordability and sustainability reasons, and the desire for minimalist living.

They offer a path to homeownership for those unable to afford larger properties or who wish to avoid debt.

Millennials and Generation X are the primary adopters of tiny homes, with the majority of tiny home dwellers being between 30 and 50 years old.

The tiny home market has grown over the past decade, and is projected to reach $23.7 billion by 2026.

SHEDEUR Sanders gave a brutally honest answer when asked how he’s grown since the NFL Draft.

Sanders, 23, suffered an unexpected and embarrassing slide to the fifth round.

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Shedeur Sanders was asked where he’s improved most since joining the Cleveland Browns[/caption]

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The quarterback was selected in the fifth round of April’s NFL Draft[/caption]

He was eventually selected by the Cleveland Browns at No. 144 overall.

The former Colorado Buffaloes star has got down to work with the Browns right away.

He is in a four-way battle for the starting quarterback spot.

Sanders was asked where he’s most improved since being selected in April.

“Spiritually,” the Cleveland Browns quarterback replied.

Sanders elaborated on his spiritual experience by referencing a tweet he sent during minicamp.

“It’s a spiritual war going on. Trust in GOD,” he said at 1.57 am on the eve of camp.

And he explained that moment further to reporters at Browns camp.

“I was in my hotel room,” he said.

“I was talking to a couple pastors yesterday just about my purpose and everything here.

“It’s a lot going on I’ll say in my mind and I understand what peace is.

“I know I’m going home so I can just focus on the little things in life, just feeling the wind, hearing the birds, all that different type of stuff.

“It’s something that you value now. It’s something I value.

“So that was the main thing, hearing what he was saying and understanding the message of what it is he was telling me yesterday.”

Sanders also spoke about how his faith helped him through the adversity.

He was expected to be a first-round selection on the opening night of April’s NFL Draft.

But the quarterback was made to wait until Saturday afternoon before a team came in.

The Browns took him as their second quarterback of the draft in the fifth round.

They already selected Dillon Gabriel in the third round.

Sanders said, “After the draft, getting closer to God and definitely talking to him consistently, having a real relationship with him.

“That’s where I say I grown the most at.”

A GLAMOROUS Instagram star who soared to fame by claiming she was an astronaut has been exposed as a fraud by NASA.

Laysa Peixoto, known to her 156,000 followers as @AstroLaysa, announced earlier this month she’d been picked for a career in space exploration.

Newsflash

Laysa Peixoto claimed she was a NASA astronaut, but the space agency says she was never part of its program[/caption]

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The 22-year-old told her 156k followers she was chosen for missions to the Moon and Mars[/caption]

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Peixoto said she was joining the “Astronaut Class of 2025”[/caption]

Newsflash

The Brazilian was only part of a NASA student workshop — not a career track or flight crew[/caption]

The 22-year-old Brazilian claimed she earned a spot in the coveted “Astronaut Class of 2025” with plans to fly to the Moon and Mars.

But just days after her triumphant Instagram reveal – complete with snaps of her in a NASA-branded jumpsuit and helmet – NASA itself came crashing into her orbit with a reality check.

The agency said bluntly in a statement: “This individual is not a NASA employee, principal investigator, or astronaut candidate.

“It would be inappropriate to claim NASA affiliation as part of this opportunity.”

Peixoto, from the state of Minas Gerais, has told followers she was chosen by private space outfit Titans Space for a 2029 mission led by Veteran NASA astronaut Bill McArthur.

She gushed in a post on June 5: “It hasn’t fully sunk in yet, but I feel immense gratitude for the entire journey I’ve taken so far and for everyone who has been and is a part of it.”

She added: “It is a great joy to represent Brazil as an astronaut in such a decisive era of space exploration… It is an honour to carry the Brazilian flag with me as the first Brazilian woman to cross this frontier.”

But NASA’s no-nonsense response made it clear she had never trained with them and had only participated in a student workshop called L’SPACE – which it described as neither a job nor an internship.

Titans Space added to the confusion, confirming she had been accepted into a “candidate programme” – a far cry from a guaranteed seat on a rocket.

The company reportedly doesn’t even hold a license to conduct manned spaceflights.

The programme Peixoto apparently joined is a $1million “Inaugural Astronauts” package promising a five-hour space trip and just three hours of zero gravity.

Questions around Peixoto’s education also started brewing.

She had claimed to be earning a master’s in Quantum Physics and Computing at Columbia University in New York City.

But the Ivy League school told Brazilian outlet Metropoles there’s no record of her.

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In a post, she said: ‘It is an honour to carry the Brazilian flag with me…’[/caption]

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She was linked to a private $1M “space experience” by Titans Space[/caption]

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Peixoto also claimed she was studying Quantum Physics at Columbia University[/caption]

Meanwhile, her former university in Brazil confirmed she was dismissed in 2023 for failing to re-enrol.

In a press release statement acquired by Brazilian outlet O Tempo, Peixoto’s team attempted to address any misunderstandings her Instagram may have caused.

Her publicist said in a press release: “In the announcement made on Instagram, the only statement given so far (June 11), having not checked any interview so far, Laysa explains that she was selected as an astronaut by the private company Titans Space

“At no time is there a mention of NASA, or that it would be an astronaut from the agency. The post was never edited.”

According to the press release, Peixoto also has no direct affiliation with NASA.

“It’s explicit and clear: Laysa was selected to become a career astronaut by Titans Space, which will have as mission commander, Bill McArthur, a veteran NASA astronaut – the only mention made about NASA in the post.”

But eagled-eyed internet sleuths say otherwise – noting the post was edited and included photos heavy with NASA iconography.

The bizarre saga saw the “fake astronaut” at the center of social media jokes.

One user quipped on X: “All I have to say is that anyone who saw a girl wearing a space camp jumpsuit claiming to be a lead astronaut researcher deserves to be fooled, when she’s clearly just an ambitious and wealthy person.”

Newsflash

After backlash, Peixoto insisted she never claimed to be a NASA astronaut — despite posts showing NASA gear and logos[/caption]

A HUGE $40.70 bump is set to come to Social Security recipients due to one key reason.

New estimates have shown that the cost-of-living adjustment to Social Security checks next year will be higher than previously thought.

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A huge $40.70 bump is set to come to Social Security recipients due to one key reason[/caption]

Monthly inflation data has revealed that in 2026, Social Security beneficiaries could receive a 2.5% bump in their checks.

While this is the same increase seen this year, it has increased from the 2.4% estimate from last month, according to Mary Johnson, an independent Social Security and Medicare policy analyst.

She said: “This estimate may rise with four more months of data still to come in before the 2026 COLA will be announced in October.”

The average monthly Social Security check in May reached a record high of $1,948.17.

Based on this, a 2.5% rise would see recipients get roughly $40.70 more monthly.

This average is decided by COLA data, an annual adjustment to ensure recipients are not paid too little in comparison to the current inflation rate at that time.

It is based on the percentage increase in the consumer price index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers from July through September of the last year.

COLA is based on the same three months of the current year to work out how much Social Security beneficiaries need to be paid to keep them from being dwarfed by inflated prices.

The COLA data for the upcoming year is normally announced in the October, but this year could be different.

This is because of the unprecedented pressure facing the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The tariff policies of Donald Trump have also raised questions as to how the COLA rate will be effected by October.

Ellen Zentner, chief economic strategist for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, said: “Another month goes by with little evidence of tariffs, but the longer-term inflation challenge they pose remains.”

BIG CHANGES

The SSA could undergo large reforms due to Republican spending proposals.

The US Sun reported that the government wants to raise the retirement age to 69 by 2033.

This change would see Americans forced to work for longer for ultimately less benefit.

It stands to impact roughly 257 million, and see them lose up to $420,000 in lifetime benefits, or an annual loss of $3,500.

Currently, the full retirement age is 66 for those born between 1943 and 1954, and 67 for those born from 1960 onward.

The new proposal would push this to 69 for individuals born in the 1970s or later.

On top of this, the SSA is facing great financial challenges with deep cuts seemingly inevitable in the next few years.

The number of those claiming Social Security has reached a record high of nearly 4 million, and the SSA’s budget is wearing thin.

It has been projected that a massive 20% cut may be needed by 2035 to account for the SSA’s dwindling funds.

The SSA has also faced a huge employee cut recently, with the President shaving off 7,000 workers to 50,000.

This is down from the SSA’s 63,000 employees a decade ago in 2015.

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Monthly inflation data from COLA has revealed that in 2026, Social Security beneficiaries could receive a 2.5% bump in their checks[/caption]

A NINE-year-old girl has been savaged by a shark at a popular US beach in a “terrifying life-altering event.”

Leah Lendel had to be airlifted to a trauma center after her horrified parents heard her screaming and saw the water turn red with her blood.

CBS News Miami

The shark attack occurred at around midday yesterday at the popular family beach in Florida[/caption]

GoFundMe

The shark attack victim, Leah Lendel, was snorkelling at the time of the terrifying attack at Boca Grand[/caption]

A shark mauled the little girl in a horrific attack while she was snorkeling off Boca Grand in Florida.

The Boca Grande Fire Department said the mauling happened yesterday at about noon near Fort Myers, on the state’s southwest coast.

Her distraught family said in a statement that Leah was underwater when she suddenly surfaced screaming.

Her right hand was covered in blood, turning the sea red after she was attacked by the 8ft-long predator – reportedly a bull shark.

The family described her arm as being so badly savaged that her hand was barely attached to it.

They said: “We’re thankful to Jesus for the quick response of emergency crews.”

Eyewitness Raynel Lugo was at the beach when he heard Leah’s cries for help.

He told CBS-affiliate WINK, “We heard somebody screaming ‘help, help, help.’

“And then we jump on and see what’s going on, and I saw it was like five kids on the water, mom and dad on the water.

“I saw a shark right on top of the lady, little kid.

“So we jump on the water, we pull him off, and the shark was right behind us, and it was pretty bad.”

Lugo said that Leah “was walking outside with the hands out bleeding, like really bad.”

A towel was wrapped around the injured limb to try and stem the bleeding, “and I called 911.”

I saw a shark right on top of the lady, little kid

Raynel Lugo

Lugo shared gruesome details of Leah’s injury, recalling that her injured hand “was just hanging by this piece… the whole thing was completely hanging out.

“You can see bones all completely red. So we stopped [the] bleeding.

“We tried to stop it. She put a towel on it and [held] it in… place. So I sit down with her, and I was talking to the EMS arrived.”

SHOCK

Another eyewitness, Alfonso Tello, told NBC-affiliate WBBH that he was taking a lunch break with construction worker colleagues at the seaside when they heard Leah’s desperate screams.

He said, “I was thinking that they were playing around.

“But when we heard the scream like ‘help, help’ we saw the little girl crying.

“So when we see that little girl come out from the water with no hand, it was… like everybody was in shock.”

Although the species has not been confirmed, those at the beach indicated it could have been a bull shark.

Tello said, “It was a big shark… would say like eight feet.”

Lugo praised Leah – who is the same age as his own daughter – for being so “brave” despite her nearly fatal ordeal.

TERRIFYING

Her family has launched an online fundraiser to help her recovery.

Their GoFundMe page says, “On what was supposed to be a fun and sunny day at the beach in Boca Grande, 9-year-old Leah experienced a terrifying and life-altering event.

“While playing in the water with her siblings, she was bitten on her hand by a shark and had to be rushed to the hospital by Life Flight.

“We’re thankful to Jesus for the quick response of emergency crews and the skill of the medical team.

“She is now stable and going through surgery – fighting hard for her road to recovery.”

More than $20,000 has so far been donated in aid of Leah’s treatment.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.

Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun

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It was supposed to be a fun and sunny day at the beach in Boca Grande, Florida[/caption]