In brief
Leah Stewart was bitten by a shark at Coogee Beach on 13 June, suffering severe blood loss and multiple injuries that required several surgeries, including an arm amputation. After being placed in an induced coma, doctors reduced her medication earlier this week and she briefly woke, greeting her family and her daughter. Stewart remains in intensive care with additional procedures scheduled in the coming weeks. Her family describes the awakening as a miracle amid a broader spate of shark attacks across Australia, which have included fatal incidents earlier in the year.
On 13 June, 34‑year‑old teacher Leah Stewart was attacked by a shark while swimming near the shore of Coogee Beach, Sydney. She sustained multiple bites on her arms and legs, lost substantial blood and required emergency surgery.
During the week following the incident, medical staff performed several operations—one of which involved the amputation of an affected arm. To manage pain and reduce shock, Stewart was placed in an induced coma.
Earlier this week, her brother reported that doctors lowered her medication so she could wake briefly from the coma. During that short awakening, Stewart managed to say, “I love you,” to her partner and daughter, and asked if her daughter was okay.
Family members described the moment as a miracle and expressed renewed hope for her long‑term recovery, noting that she remains in intensive care with more surgeries scheduled.
Stewart’s incident is part of a recent wave of shark attacks in Australia. In 2024, the country has experienced a series of incidents, including several fatal cases in Queensland, Western Australia and Sydney, highlighting the ongoing concern for beachgoers and the need for updated safety measures.
