A woman who was critically injured in a harrowing shark attack has spoken her first words after emerging from a medically induced coma, as per her family’s update.
Leah Stewart, aged 35, was attacked by a great white shark while swimming at Coogee Beach in Sydney on June 13. She was swiftly taken to St Vincent’s Hospital in critical condition, where medical teams performed an arm amputation and multiple surgeries while she remained in intensive care.
Her family has been sharing updates on her condition, with her brother Joshua releasing an emotional statement on her progress. He mentioned that after a week of life support and surgeries, Leah was gradually brought out of the induced coma, allowing her to express her love to her mother and partner who have been by her side in the ICU. Her first concern was her daughter August’s well-being.
Despite the positive development, Leah remains in intensive care and has a challenging recovery journey ahead. She has undergone several surgeries in the past week, with more scheduled in the coming weeks. The family expressed gratitude for the support and generosity shown towards Leah’s rehabilitation through a crowdfunding appeal, which has raised nearly $488,000.
The incident occurred during a swim at Coogee Beach, where off-duty lifeguard Charlie Verco promptly acted, rescuing her on a paddleboard and initiating critical medical aid. Ms. Stewart, a teacher at Hurstville Adventist School, had previously worked at Sydney Adventist School in Auburn.
Authorities have since allowed temporary surveillance at Coogee Beach, following the attack by a shark estimated to be between three and four meters long. The community continues to rally behind Leah for her recovery, with a wave of support and prayers offered for her well-being.
