Leah Stewart, a 35-year-old Australian teacher, has spoken publicly for the first time since surviving a great white shark attack at Coogee Beach in June. In an emotional interview aired on 60 Minutes, Stewart described the attack and her subsequent recovery, including the amputation of her left arm.
Stewart, a mother of one, recounted the moment the shark held onto her leg while she fought for survival. She recalled thinking of her one-year-old daughter, August, as she struggled against the animal. "All I was thinking of was August and I thought, 'she's not going to have a mum,'" Stewart told the program. "I couldn't handle that. I did not want her to grow up without a mum."
The attack occurred while Stewart was swimming between the flags at Coogee Beach on June 13. Emergency services were notified immediately, with a beachgoer calling triple-0 to report the incident. "Hi, we've got a shark attack at Coogee beach," the caller told the operator. "There's a lot of blood."
Stewart spent two weeks in an induced coma and underwent multiple surgeries following the attack. She has since made significant progress in her recovery, expressing gratitude for the support she has received. In a social media post, Stewart thanked donors who contributed over AU$550,000 to a fundraiser for her medical expenses and family support.
"I want to say the biggest thank you for looking after me, for caring for my family, and for being generous enough to help my family through this," she wrote. "I am constantly overwhelmed at how supportive people I know, and even strangers, have been."
Stewart’s recovery has been described as "remarkable" by supporters, though she acknowledged it remains an ongoing process. "I still have a long way to go, but my recovery has been remarkable," she stated. The fundraiser, which has now closed, provided her with resources to recover at home and explore further medical treatment options.
The attack is part of a series of shark incidents in Australia this year. In January, four shark attacks occurred over a two-day period, including one involving a 12-year-old boy who later died from his injuries. Additional fatal attacks were reported in Queensland in May and Western Australia in a separate incident.
Stewart’s interview and public statements have highlighted both the physical and emotional toll of the attack, as well as the broader context of shark encounters in Australian waters.