Leah Stewart, 35, a Sydney primary school teacher, was attacked by a shark at Coogee Beach, and uttered one heartbreaking word to her rescuer.
On June 13, Stewart was attacked by a suspected 11-foot great white shark in clear conditions and close to shore at Coogee Beach, a popular stretch of coastline in New South Wales.
The attack left Stewart with serious injuries and significant blood loss. Doctors amputated one of her arms, and additional surgeries are expected in the coming days, according to UNILAD.
“At the moment, we’re not a hundred per cent sure,” her brother Joshua told The Guardian. “We’re still waiting on further news from the hospital. There are multiple, quite serious injuries. This has been negatively life-changing for Leah. It is just such a tragic and horrific circumstance.”
Shark attack at Coogee Beach
Stewart remains on life support at St Vincent’s Hospital. Her family awaits updates on the trauma to her legs.
They have also launched a GoFundMe campaign for Stewart, whose 18-month-old daughter has been asking about her mother.
“As a family we are shocked and devastated that this could happen to our beloved partner, daughter and mother who is so full of life and energy,” the page reads.
“Leah remains in a critical condition on life support and has undergone multiple surgeries in the days after the attack. Tragically her treatment has required the amputation of her arm, and more surgeries are scheduled for the coming days.”
An off-duty volunteer lifeguard rescued her
When Stewart was attacked, 24-year-old off-duty volunteer lifeguard Charlie Verco came to her rescue. Verco was in the water when he spotted the shark.
“I could see the dorsal fin and the tail fin and the body of it and I felt like I was looking up at the shark, just because it was so big,” he told ABC, according to UNILAD. “I thought it would be able to bite myself and my board in half without much effort.”
Stewart was dragged underwater by the shark, but when she resurfaced, Verco courageously pulled her onto his board and brought her back to shore.
“She was lucid enough to say ‘help’ and respond to instruction, but she was very much in shock and definitely freaked out,” he said.
Her family started a GoFundMe
Her family has since thanked the first responders as well as the medical team fighting for her recovery: “Our sincere thanks to the lifesavers, first responders, helicopter crew, and to the dedicated medical team at St. Vincents who have been caring for Leah and our thanks to all who have reached out to the family with sympathy, care and prayer,” they wrote on GoFundMe.
The funds will help support Leah and her family through this difficult time.
“Any contribution, no matter the size will be deeply appreciated as it will help support Leah, her partner and daughter through this heartbreaking situation,” the page reads.
“These funds will support her recovery process and to access prosthetics, rehabilitation and the ongoing care and adjustments she will need to try and return to her life being an amazing Mum to her baby daughter.”
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