Leah Stewart, a 35-year-old teacher from Sydney, has shared her first public update on her recovery after a severe shark attack that left her with a life-threatening injury and the loss of an arm, stating she feels she’s been given a second chance at life.
Recovery Update and Fundraising Closure
Stewart, who was attacked by a great white shark at Coogee Beach in June, spoke publicly for the first time about her condition, describing the past months as incredibly difficult
but emphasizing her progress. After what has been an incredibly difficult few months, I'm so happy that I've progressed enough to build some independence, and I can finally see some light after all of this,
she said in a statement shared through an online fundraiser. The campaign, which raised nearly $560,000, has now been closed as Stewart declared the funds were sufficient to cover her recovery and future medical needs.
Because what you've offered has given us enough to recover, to stay in our home, and to give us options for further medical treatment down the road,
she added. Stewart, who lost an arm in the attack, expressed gratitude for the community’s support, saying it had inspired me to get better, not bitter.
She also thanked those who contributed, noting, I want you to know I feel like I’ve been given a second chance at life, and I’m not going to waste it.
The fundraiser, which had previously been updated by her family, highlighted the scale of the community’s generosity. Stewart’s brother had described the attack as a “horrific” incident that left her in critical condition at St Vincent’s Hospital, requiring multiple surgeries, including the amputation of her arm. She was placed in an induced coma for days and faced a long road to recovery. On June 13, Stewart was taken to St Vincent’s in a critical condition after being mauled by a white shark while swimming between the flags and close to the shore at Coogee Beach. She was bitten on her leg and arms, suffered multiple fractures, and lost a lot of blood.
About 11 days after the attack, the 35-year-old teacher spoke to her family for the first time after being briefly woken from an induced coma. Her first words to her husband and mother were I love you.
Her first thoughts were with her daughter, August, and [she] wanted to check she was OK,
Stewart’s brother said. Stewart, a mother of one, was bitten multiple times on her arms and legs while on a morning swim just metres from the shore, her brother said on the fundraising page.
Context of Shark Attacks in NSW
The attack has reignited debates over shark management in New South Wales. Stewart’s incident follows a series of shark-related incidents this year, including the death of 12-year-old Nico Antic in January and musician Andre de Ruyter losing his leg in a separate attack. These events have led to expanded drone surveillance along 72 beaches, covering the NSW coast from dawn to dusk.
Despite calls for shark culling, NSW Premier Chris Minns has stated that great white sharks, which are protected, cannot be targeted. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority granted a temporary exemption for aerial surveillance of Coogee Beach following the attack. The beach is about eight kilometres from Sydney Airport. Shark nets, which are temporarily removed during the winter whale migration season, will be reinstalled at the start of September.
New South Wales has experienced several shark-related incidents this year. In January, Nico Antic died in hospital after an attack at Vaucluse. Later that month, Andre de Ruyter lost his leg after a suspected bull shark attack at Manly Beach. The attacks have led to an expansion of a drone surveillance program, which now covers 72 beaches along the NSW coast from dawn to dusk.
Public Response and Future Implications
Stewart’s public statement has been met with widespread support, with many praising her resilience. She emphasized her determination to make something of this second chance
and give back even more in generosity, care, and love.
Her recovery has also underscored the broader conversation about beach safety and the balance between protecting swimmers and preserving marine life.
The focus remains on the long-term implications of the attack. While Stewart has closed the fundraiser, the broader debate over shark control measures and public safety protocols continues. The incident has also highlighted the critical role of community support in recovery, with Stewart’s story serving as a testament to both the challenges and the strength of human resilience.
