Leah Stewart remains in ICU after Coogee Beach shark attack — 9 News
Leah Stewart, 34, remained on life support in intensive care after undergoing highly complex surgery at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, 9 news can report. She was bitten at Coogee Beach on Saturday while swimming between the flags about 20 to 30 metres from shore.
The surgery involved multiple specialist teams, according to her brother, Joshua Stewart. He also said the family had asked supporters to help as Stewart faced a long recovery after losing an arm and suffering multiple bites, fractures and extreme blood loss.
St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney
Joshua said on the fundraising page that Leah had been admitted for more highly complex surgery involving multiple specialist teams from St Vincent’s. He added: “Given the extensive open wounds contaminated with sand and debris, the risk of infection is extreme.”
Those wounds came after a large great white shark bit her during the swim at one of Sydney’s busiest beaches. Stewart suffered bites on her arms and legs, cuts and fractures throughout her body, and her family said she lost an arm.
Joshua Stewart update
Joshua also wrote, “Thank you so much everyone, as a family we’ve been blown away by the support, care, love and generosity we’ve received for Leah, August and the family.” He said his mother, Christine, and Leah’s partner, Fernando, had been by her side every day.
Fernando had been overseas presenting at a conference when the attack happened. Joshua said friends curated a playlist of Leah’s favourite songs to play by her bedside, while the family printed photos to place in her hospital room.
Coogee Beach support
The online fundraising page for Leah Stewart and her family had raised almost $400,000 by the afternoon. Joshua thanked people for donating, sharing the page, and dropping off food, nappies and supplies.
For the family, the immediate task is care inside the ICU, where infection risk and recovery from repeated surgery now shape the next phase of treatment. For supporters, the practical response has been money, food, supplies and a bedside routine built around photos and music.
