Leah Stewart, a 34‑year‑old teacher, was severely injured when a shark bit her arms and legs at Sydney’s Coogee Beach on 13 June.
She lost a large amount of blood and underwent a series of surgeries, including the amputation of her left arm, before being admitted to intensive care in a critical condition.
Doctors have now reduced her sedation so that she has briefly regained consciousness. When she woke, she said, “I love you,” to her mother and partner, before asking if her daughter was well.
Joshua Stewart, her brother, shared on social media that her awakening “is a lot faster than anyone expected,” and that the family considers it a miracle and a hopeful sign for her long‑term recovery.
Leah’s incident comes amid a spate of shark attacks in Australia. In January, four separate attacks were recorded in just two days, one of which killed a young boy. Last month, two fatal attacks were reported, including one spearfisher and a father of two who was bitten by a large shark.
Medical teams are continuing to monitor her closely, and further surgical procedures are scheduled over the coming weeks. Her family remains hopeful that she will recover as her condition stabilises.
