close
close

‘American Idol’ star Luke Bryan sends thoughts and prayers to 15-year-old girl attacked by shark

As temperatures continued to rise, many headed to Florida for a nice beach vacation. While the beaches offered a quick escape, shark attacks made headlines when a 45-year-old woman survived an attack on her pelvis, midsection and left arm, which had to be amputated. And just four miles away, another shark attack occurred when 15-year-old Lulu Gribbin decided to explore the sandbars nearby. With the teenager losing her left hand and right leg, many have been wishing her well and love in her recovery. And one of those people was none other than country singer and American Idol Judge Luke Bryan.

While Bryan kept people updated on Lulu’s recovery, he reached out to her on social media to offer her some support. He wrote, “I have children who have played down there their whole lives, so when I heard your story, I followed up with how you were doing.” He added, “I wanted you to know that we are thinking of you and praying for your speedy recovery. I can’t even imagine what you have been through.”

(RELATED: Luke Bryan reveals the private farewell party he and Lionel Richie threw for Katy Perry and sends a message for her successor on ‘American Idol’)

Luke Bryan offers support as mother recalls horrific experience

When the story went viral, it wasn’t just Bryan who offered his support, but also Nick Saban, Caitlin Clark and Eli Manning. Lulu’s mother recalled the experience of finding her daughter: “I came across a group of people surrounding someone lying on the ground and looked down and there was Lulu. Ellie found me and said, ‘Mommy, it’s Lulu.’ I saw her wounds on her leg and started screaming. She was lifeless, her eyes were closed, her mouth was white and pale. The wound on her leg, or whatever was left of her leg, was like something out of a movie.”

Lulu’s mother, who had to undergo surgery, explained how an anesthesiologist drove 40 miles to help her daughter. “She said I have a daughter and I knew I had to be here. We were able to find out that the catheter with the pain block in her arm was not fully reaching the nerves. She did an ultrasound and could see it clearly and she showed it to Lulu as well. Then she put a local block in the room that should work for 24 hours or until the surgery tomorrow and they can replace the one that didn’t work.”

Although she was grateful for all the love and support she and her daughter received, she stressed, “I just can’t imagine the pain she was feeling. Today was a difficult day!”

(Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)