Relatives of Sydney primary school teacher Leah Stewart, who was attacked by a shark at one of Australia’s best-known beaches, have described the devastating extent of her injuries as she remains in hospital after multiple surgeries.
Leah Stewart, 35, was bitten by what authorities believe was a 3.5-metre great white shark on the morning of June 13 while swimming between the flags at Coogee Beach. The attack happened close to shore in clear water at one of New South Wales’ busiest beach locations.
Emergency services and lifeguards rushed to the scene after the attack, which occurred just before 11am. Randwick City Council closed Coogee and other eastern suburbs beaches as a precaution, while rescue crews and surf lifesavers worked to secure the area and monitor for further shark activity.
Her brother Joshua said Leah had been doing everything expected of a swimmer in the area.
“She’s so full of life, she’s so energetic, she loves the ocean. She was swimming in the flags, really close to the shore when it happened on a crystal-clear Saturday morning. She’d done all the right things.”
A committed ocean swimmer and mother to a young daughter, Leah suffered major bite wounds to her arms and legs, extensive fractures, and severe blood loss.
Since being taken to hospital, she has had one arm amputated and undergone several additional operations, with further procedures expected over the coming days. As of June 16, family updates described her condition as critical but stable after surgery.
Her family are also waiting to learn more about the damage to her legs, fearing more life-changing updates may still come.
Joshua said the situation remains uncertain.
“At the moment, we’re not a hundred per cent sure. We’re still waiting on further news from the hospital. There are multiple, quite serious injuries. This has been negatively life-changing for Leah. It is just such a tragic and horrific circumstance.”
The family has set up a GoFundMe to assist with the likely long-term costs of specialist treatment, prosthetic support and rehabilitation, with Joshua saying recovery will be a long process.
“Leah faces a long road to recovery and your support will make a huge difference in her quality of life, rehabilitation and ability to go back to being a mum to her much loved daughter.”
Leah’s mother, who works as a registered nurse, has remained by her bedside at St Vincent’s Hospital. Meanwhile, other relatives are trying to keep life as steady as possible for Leah’s toddler, who has reportedly been asking where her mother is.
The rescue was carried out in dramatic circumstances by off-duty volunteer lifeguard Charlie Verco, 24, who was already in the water when the shark struck.
After spotting the animal, he moved straight toward it.
“I could see the dorsal fin and the tail fin and the body of it and I felt like I was looking up at the shark, just because it was so big. I thought it would be able to bite myself and my board in half without much effort.”
According to Verco, the shark pulled Leah underwater before letting go. Once she came back to the surface, he was able to get her onto his board and bring her in to shore.
He said she was still conscious despite the trauma.
“She was lucid enough to say ‘help’ and respond to instruction, but she was very much in shock and definitely freaked out.”
Emergency crews reached the beach at about 11am before Leah was transported to St Vincent’s Hospital for urgent treatment.
Coogee Surf Life Saving Club president Ben Heenan praised those involved in the response.
“speed, precision, and a fair bit of courageousness.”
Following the incident, former prime minister Tony Abbott called on social media for a shark cull. NSW premier Chris Minns rejected that suggestion, pointing out that great white sharks are a protected species and saying he was not persuaded that a cull would be effective.
Marine scientist Emeritus Professor Rob Harcourt also criticised the proposal.
“does not understand risk”
Authorities temporarily expanded shark-spotting drone surveillance over Coogee Beach after the attack, with the issue renewing debate over beach safety and whether aerial monitoring should be more widely available at Sydney’s ocean beaches.
By June 16, the attack had prompted renewed calls for better shark monitoring, while local officials continued to assess safety measures and beach access across the eastern suburbs.