A mother had her arm amputated following an encounter with a shark and has raised over $270,000 in under 24 hours while in critical condition at the hospital. The incident occurred on June 13 at Coogee Beach where Leah Stewart was swimming near the shore and was attacked by a shark, resulting in severe injuries including multiple bites on her limbs, lacerations, fractures, and extensive blood loss.
During the attack, a great white shark approached the 35-year-old mother while her one-year-old daughter was playing nearby with a friend. Off-duty lifeguard Charlie Verco, 25, witnessed the incident from his paddleboard and swiftly came to Stewart’s aid, bringing her to safety.
Verco described the intense moment, stating that he saw Stewart being pulled underwater by the shark but fortunately, she resurfaced as the shark released her. Despite her shock and inability to engage in conversation, Stewart managed to ask for help before losing consciousness on the way back to shore. Paramedics administered multiple blood transfusions on the beach to stabilize her condition.
After being airlifted to St Vincent’s Hospital in critical condition, Stewart underwent numerous surgeries to address her life-threatening injuries, including the amputation of her arm. Her brother initiated a GoFundMe campaign to support her recovery, highlighting the ongoing medical procedures she faces.
The fundraiser has garnered over $293,000 to aid Stewart in her rehabilitation. Following the incident, authorities have allowed the temporary use of drones to monitor shark activity in the area, as Coogee Beach was not under surveillance at the time due to flight path restrictions.
To contribute to the GoFundMe page, interested individuals can access the donation link provided.
