A woman was severely injured in a shark attack while swimming at a popular tourist spot, resulting in the amputation of her arm. The victim, Leah Stewart, 35, experienced significant blood loss after being attacked by a 12-foot great white shark at Coogee Beach in Sydney, Australia. She is currently on life support following multiple surgeries.
A fundraising campaign has raised nearly $200,000 AUD for Leah’s medical expenses, describing her injuries as severe with extensive bites on her limbs, body lacerations, and fractures. Her condition remains critical, with further surgeries planned, including the amputation of her arm.
Witnesses reported hearing screams and seeing a large amount of blood before off-duty doctors provided immediate aid by applying tourniquets. Leah was then airlifted to St Vincent’s Hospital for emergency treatment. Her brother, Joshua Stewart, expressed shock and devastation over the incident, highlighting Leah’s role as a devoted mother, teacher, and ocean enthusiast.
Leah’s family expressed gratitude towards the individuals involved in her rescue and treatment. Friends praised Leah for her activism in water quality improvement and breast cancer awareness, noting her previous charity efforts. Beach closures were implemented in Sydney’s eastern suburbs post-incident to monitor shark activity, subsequently reopening after safety assessments.