Leah Stewart, 35, has spoken publicly after narrowly surviving a shark attack at Sydney’s Coogee Beach on June 13, an incident that left her with devastating injuries and led to the amputation of her left arm.
The mother and teacher was swimming close to shore when she was attacked by a large great white shark. She suffered multiple bites to her arms and legs, as well as fractures, lacerations and severe blood loss.
Ms Stewart told Nine’s 60 Minutes that the shark dragged her underwater and came within about 30cm of her face. She said she decided to use her left arm to punch it because she was right-handed.
“It was like fighting a dinosaur,” she said, describing the animal as so large that it felt like punching “a brick wall”.
She said her determination to survive was driven by thoughts of her young daughter. After repeatedly striking the shark, it released her and she was able to resurface.
Off-duty volunteer lifeguard Charlie Verco was training on a paddleboard nearby when he saw Ms Stewart in the water. He helped her cling to his board and paddled her towards the beach, where members of the public and surf lifesavers began administering first aid.
New South Wales Police said emergency services were called to Coogee Beach shortly before 11.15am on June 13 after reports that a swimmer had been bitten. Officers treated the woman before paramedics arrived, while a CareFlight helicopter landed at nearby Coogee Oval to take her to hospital.
Ms Stewart spent weeks in critical condition and underwent several operations, including the amputation of her left arm. She has since begun the long process of recovery and rehabilitation.
Her account of the attack came after months of support from the Coogee community, which held a swim-out in her honour soon after the incident.
