New mother Leah Stewart has been taken out of heavy sedation and is now awake and stable, marking a significant recovery 12 days after a great white shark attacked her at Sydney's Coogee Beach. Stewart, 34, was reunited with her baby daughter, August, a development her brother Joshua described as "amazing" and occurring "sooner than anyone expected."
Stewart had been in a coma in the intensive care unit following the June 13 incident. Her brother confirmed she has made consistent progress and has been able to communicate with family and medical staff. The reunion with August, her first child, was described as "overjoyed," as the two had not been separated before the attack.
Recovery and Medical Care
Despite her improved condition, Stewart has not yet regained full use of one hand and will undergo another surgery on Friday at St. Vincent's Hospital, where she was taken after being pulled from the water. She had been provided with multiple blood transfusions on the beach before being airlifted. The attack resulted in the amputation of one arm and nerve and tendon damage to the other, though doctors expect full use of the latter to be regained over time.
An off-duty lifeguard, Charlie Verco, who was paddleboarding nearby, assisted Stewart ashore. He recalled the details of the event and plans to share more of her story once she has recovered. Her family has expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support, messages of care, and prayers from the public.
