Leah Stewart, 35, has expressed heartfelt gratitude after surviving a fierce shark attack at Coogee Beach, Sydney, earlier this year. The 35‑year‑old was mauled in the morning swim on 13 June, sustaining multiple bites to her arms and legs. The injuries were so severe that she was placed in an induced coma and had to undergo several surgeries, one of which resulted in the amputation of her arm.
In a heartfelt online post, Stewart thanked supporters who raised more than AU$550,000 (US$394,000; £289,000). She described her recovery as incredibly difficult, yet she is making remarkable progress and has regained the ability to maintain some independence.
"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 wrote. “I feel like I've been given a second chance at life, and I'm not going to waste it.” Stewart also praised the overwhelming support from family, friends and even strangers, noting that the encouragement inspired her to focus on recovery rather than bitterness.
The fundraiser for Stewart has now closed, and the funds raised will assist her home recovery and allow options for additional medical treatment in the future. The horrific incident reflects a troubling surge of shark attacks in Australia this year.
In January, four attacks occurred over a two‑day span, one of which killed a 12‑year‑old boy. In May, a man was killed by a shark while spearfishing in Queensland, and a father of two was fatally attacked by a 4‑metre (13‑ft) shark in Western Australia. These events underscore the increasing risk posed by sharks in Australian waters.
