Shark Attack Survivor Emerges From Coma, Reunites With Family

WHO:

[Fox News] - Leah Stewart, a 34-year-old mother and teacher, is the shark attack survivor.

[BBC News] - Leah Stewart had one of her arms amputated following the attack.

WHAT:

Fox News - Leah Stewart's brother reported that her first thoughts upon waking were about her daughter, August, asking if she was okay.

Fox News - Leah Stewart's brother described her awakening as a "miracle" and noted that it was "a lot faster than anyone expected."

BBC News - Leah Stewart will continue to have multiple surgeries in the coming weeks as part of her recovery process.

[Fox News] - Leah Stewart woke from a 10-day induced coma and told her family, "I love you."

[Fox News] - Stewart underwent five surgeries, including an arm amputation.

[Fox News] - She was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition after being bitten by a shark.

WHERE:

[Fox News] - The shark attack occurred at Coogee Beach, a popular weekend destination in Sydney, Australia.

[Fox News] - Leah was swimming near shore while a friend watched her daughter on the beach.

WHEN:

[Fox News] - Leah Stewart was airlifted to the hospital on June 13.

[Fox News] - She woke from her coma on a Tuesday, following her hospitalization.

WHY:

[Fox News] - The shark attack was part of a series of incidents, with three men killed by sharks in Australia since May, and a 12-year-old boy killed in January.

HOW:

[Fox News] - Leah Stewart was placed in an induced coma and on life support after the attack, with doctors performing repeated surgeries to stabilize her condition.

(UPDATED June 25, 2026 06:20 UTC)

Leah Stewart's brother shared that her first thoughts upon waking were about her daughter, August, as she asked if she was okay. He described her awakening as a "miracle," noting it happened much faster than anyone expected. However, Leah will need to undergo multiple surgeries in the coming weeks as part of her recovery process.

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(UPDATED June 25, 2026 01:43 UTC)

Leah Stewart, a 34-year-old mother and teacher, is recovering after a harrowing shark attack at Coogee Beach in Sydney, Australia, where she was swimming near the shore. Following the incident, she was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition and underwent five surgeries, including an amputation of one arm, before waking from a 10-day induced coma and expressing her love to her family. This attack is part of a troubling trend, as three men have been killed by sharks in Australia since May, alongside a tragic incident involving a 12-year-old boy earlier this year.