Coogee shark survivor learns her heart stopped during rescue
Shark attack survivor Leah Stewart only recently discovered her heart stopped during emergency treatment after the June attack.
Leah Stewart was attacked by a four-metre great white shark at Coogee Beach on June 13. She suffered severe injuries, including the loss of her left arm.
The 34-year-old mother spent 10 days in a coma and had several operations. When she returned to the beach recently to meet the lifesavers who treated her, Leah Stewart learned something that shocked her: her heart had stopped as they gave her CPR and rushed her to the ambulance.
The lifesavers said they did not think she would reach hospital. Stewart is now rebuilding her life.
She is relearning everyday tasks with one hand and plans to return to teaching primary school.
- 34
- Survivor age
- 4 metres
- Shark size
- 10 days
- Coma duration
- Coogee Beach
- Attack location
Why it mattersHer survival against near-certain odds shows the speed and skill of emergency responders, and her recovery demonstrates human resilience through severe trauma.
AustraliaThe story highlights both the danger of great white sharks in Australian coastal waters and the remarkable outcomes possible with rapid emergency care.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 8 d ago
