Leah Stewart wakes from induced coma after shark attack at Coogee Beach

After a harrowing encounter with a shark at Sydney’s Coogee Beach, 34‑year‑old Leah Stewart has begun to emerge from an induced coma, giving her family hope for a long‑term recovery.

On Saturday 13 June, Stewart was in the surf near the shore when a shark bit her multiple times on her arms and legs, causing severe blood loss. She was rushed to hospital in critical condition.

She underwent several surgeries, including the amputation of an arm. The medical team kept her in an induced coma to manage swelling and trauma.

On Tuesday, her brother reported that doctors had cut her sedatives, allowing her to wake briefly. She heard her mum and partner, thanked them, and asked whether her daughter was okay. Her brother posted that “this is a lot faster than anyone expected” and described it as a miracle.

Stewart remains in intensive care with five days of surgery already, and more are planned in the coming weeks. She has a long road ahead, but her brief awakening gives the family newfound hope.

Australia has seen a surge of shark attacks this year. In January, there were four attacks in two days, including a fatal case involving a young boy. Last month, two fatal attacks occurred: one man was killed by a shark while spearfishing in Queensland, and a father‑of‑two was bitten by a 4‑metre shark in Western Australia.

For more on shark activity across East Australia, see Four attacks in 48 hours: How east Australia’s beaches became a ‘perfect storm’ for sharks.