A woman who lost her arm after she was viciously attacked by a great white shark while out for a morning swim has been identified as a “loving” teacher and new mom whose baby was on the beach at the time.
Leah Stewart, 35, is on life support after she was bitten multiple times off the coast of Sydney, Australia’s iconic Coogee Beach early Saturday, leaving her with brutal injuries that forced doctors to amputate her arm, according to family members.
In addition to losing her arm, Stewart, who has a 1-year-old daughter, suffered several bites on her limbs, bone fractures and “severe blood loss” in the attack, her brother, Joshua, wrote on a GoFundMe page raising money for medical expenses.
“Leah is a dedicated and loving mother, a passionate teacher, and a Coogee local who loves the ocean,” he wrote.
“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,” he said, adding she will have to undergo more surgeries.
Stewart, an accomplished swimmer, was attacked just about 100 feet from shore while a friend was watching over her young daughter on the beach. Her partner was traveling overseas at the time, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
An off-duty lifeguard rushed into the ocean and pulled Stewart to the beach, where a critical care doctor who happened to be there worked with first responders to stabilize her. She was then airlifted to the hospital, according to the Herald.
In November, Stewart swam more than 30 miles to raise money for breast cancer research and in 2024, competed in the Coogee Island Challenge, an annual 1.5-mile race.
She and her partner welcomed a daughter early last year and are well-known beach-goers in the community.
“We share our sincere thanks and gratitude to the lifesavers, first responders, helicopter crew, and the dedicated medical team of doctors, nurses, and support staff at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney who have been caring for Leah,” her family said in a statement to the Herald.
“Our thanks to all who have reached out to the family with sympathy, care and prayer.”
Australia has been shaken by a string of shark attacks recently.
Since May 16, three spearfishing divers have been killed, bringing the nation’s shark-related death toll this year to four.
Authorities say Australia has typically recorded only 2-3 fatal shark encounters annually since 2000.
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