SouthernWorldwide.com – A woman who survived a brutal shark attack off a Sydney beach has awakened from a 10-day coma and spoken her first words to her anxious family.
Leah Stewart, who is in her mid-30s, regained consciousness earlier this week and was able to express her love to her mother and partner. Her brother shared the heartwarming update on a fundraising page established to support her recovery.
He explained that after a week on life support and undergoing multiple surgeries, doctors were able to remove Leah from her ventilator and reduce her sedation. This allowed her to briefly emerge from the induced coma and utter the words “I love you” to her family, who have been steadfastly by her side in the intensive care unit since the horrific incident.
Stewart’s brother also revealed that his sister’s immediate concern upon waking was for her daughter, August, as she inquired about her well-being.
The teacher and mother has already endured five surgeries, including the amputation of an arm, as a consequence of the attack.
She was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition on the morning of June 13. The incident occurred at Coogee Beach, a popular recreational spot, where a shark attacked her legs and arms.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Stewart was swimming near the shore while a friend supervised her daughter on the beach when the unprovoked attack took place.
Her brother described Leah’s awakening as a significant and welcome development, stating that it happened much faster than anticipated. He characterized it as a miracle and the fulfillment of the hopes and prayers of many who have been supporting her.
He acknowledged that Leah faces a long and challenging road to recovery and remains in critical care. However, he emphasized that this positive first step offers considerable hope for her long-term recuperation.
Stewart’s harrowing experience follows a concerning trend of shark-related fatalities in Australian waters. In the months leading up to her attack, three men had lost their lives to shark encounters since May, and a 12-year-old boy was also killed by a shark in Sydney Harbour in January.
