Coogee shark attack victim Leah Stewart has said her first words after waking up from an induced coma in intensive care.
The 34-year-old mum was swimming between the flags at Coogee Beach on June 13 when a great white shark attacked her. Leah is an experienced swimmer and had even swam more than 50km for charity.
She suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital, where her arm was later amputated. She was then put on life support and has since undergone multiple surgeries, with more to come.
Her brother, Josh, has shared an update on the GoFundMe page set up to support her and her family, which has since raised over $480,000 of the $550,000 goal.
“Some really wonderful news for Leah today,” he began.
“After a week of life support and repeat surgeries, doctors were able to extubate Leah and reduce her level of sedation to bring her out of the induced coma for a short period of time.
“This allowed Leah to share her first words, ‘I love you’, with her mum and partner Fernando, who have been by her side in ICU since the incident.”
“Her first thoughts were with her daughter August and wanted to check she was OK,” he continued.
Josh added that his sister still has a long recovery journey ahead, having undergone five days of surgeries, with more procedures to come, adding that her progress has been a “miracle” for the family.
“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.
“Leah remains in the ICU and will continue to require this high level of care and support for some time.
“She has undergone five days of surgery over the past week, and is scheduled for further surgeries today and more through the coming weeks.
“Leah has a long road ahead and remains in critical care, but this is such a positive first step and gives us hope for Leah’s long-term recovery.”
He then thanked everyone for their support and generosity.
Leah’s partner was overseas on a work trip when the incident occurred and had to fly back to be by her side.
Local volunteer lifeguard Charlie Verco witnessed the attack and was one of the people that helped rescue her.
“The water got very bloody, and she got taken under and after a few seconds, popped up again, and the shark had let her go,” he told ABC.
“All I really wanted to do was to go to shore, obviously, but because I was the only one on any craft near her, I was like, If I’m not here to help her, no one is.
“She was lucid enough to say ‘help’, and respond to instruction, but she was very much in shock and definitely freaked out and wasn’t able to have a conversation.”
Leah was only 30 metres from shore when she was attacked.
Images: GoFundMe
