The Sydney shark attack survivor who was critically injured at Coogee Beach earlier this month has taken a significant step in her recovery after briefly waking from an induced coma and speaking to her loved ones.
Leah Stewart, a 34-year-old teacher and mother, was attacked by a shark while swimming near the shore at Sydney’s popular Coogee Beach on 13 June. The attack left her with severe injuries, including multiple bites to her arms and legs, and caused extensive blood loss.
Stewart was rushed to hospital in a critical condition, where doctors performed several emergency surgeries. As part of efforts to save her life, surgeons were forced to amputate one of her arms.
More than a week after the attack, Stewart’s family shared encouraging news about her condition.
Her brother, Joshua Stewart, revealed that doctors had reduced her medication, allowing her to briefly regain consciousness. During that emotional moment, she reportedly told her mother and partner, who were by her bedside, “I love you.”
According to her family, one of her first concerns after waking was asking whether her daughter was safe.
Joshua described the development as an unexpected and emotional milestone in her recovery.
“This is a lot faster than anyone expected, and for us this feels like a miracle and is everything so many of us have hoped and prayed for over the past week,” he said in a message shared with supporters.
Despite the positive progress, Stewart remains in intensive care and continues to face a long and challenging recovery process. She has already undergone five days of surgery and is expected to require additional procedures in the coming weeks.
Her family remains hopeful but acknowledges that her journey toward recovery is only just beginning.
The attack occurred during a routine morning swim at Coogee Beach, one of Sydney’s most popular coastal destinations. Stewart was reportedly close to shore when the shark struck.
The incident has renewed concerns about shark encounters in Australian waters, following several serious attacks recorded this year.
Australia experienced multiple shark attacks in January, including four incidents within a 48-hour period. One of those attacks involved a young boy at a Sydney beach who later died from his injuries.
Last month, two fatal shark attacks were also reported. A man was killed while spearfishing in Queensland, while in Western Australia, 38-year-old father-of-two Steven Mattaboni died after being attacked by a shark believed to be around four metres long.
Marine experts have pointed to changing environmental conditions, prey movements and warmer waters as factors that may be increasing shark activity in some coastal regions.
For now, the focus remains on Stewart’s recovery, with family members expressing gratitude for the medical care she has received and the support shown by the wider community.
While her condition remains serious, her ability to wake, communicate and recognise loved ones has provided a powerful source of hope after one of the most traumatic shark attacks seen in Sydney in recent years.
