DID SHE PUT A TONNE OF MAYO ON THAT STORY..?! – Aussie radio hosts challenge Leah Stewart’s account of terrifying shark a-ttack after her emotional 60 Minutes interview
Radio hosts question shark attack survivor Leah Stewart’s harrowing story: ‘That’s a lot of mayo’
Aussie radio hosts have sparked a listener debate after questioning shark attack survivor Leah Stewart’s account of her ordeal on 60 Minutes.
More from Kidspot News
Student doc deported over vile sex worker act
Disease barely seen for 200 yrs kills Qld boy
Mum brutally killed on return from mat leave
When Sydney Shark attack victim Leah Stewart shared her story on 60 Minutes on Sunday night, there was an outpouring of love and support from viewers across the country.
The folks over at Fox FM’s Fifi, Fev & Nick breakfast were also sympathetic to Stewart’s story of survival, although they did have a few questions about the moment the young mum was attacked by a great white shark in Coogee Beach, with host Brendan Fevola wondering whether there’s a “a lot of mayo” in Stewart’s story.
During an on-air debrief, Fevola, Nick Cody and fill-in host Kate Langbroek dissected Stewart’s quick-thinking when she punched the shark in the face that fateful morning in June, striking with her left arm before the underwater predator ripped it right off.
Fox FM’s Fifi, Fev and Nick have questioned Sydney shark attack survivor Leah Stewart’s harrowing story. Picture: Instagram
Leah Stewart opened up about her ordeal with a great white shark on 60 Minutes. Picture: 60 Minutes
Speaking to 60 Minutes, Stewart recalled coming face-to-face with the shark’s “black little beady eyes” and – in the moment before it severed her arm – decided to throw a left hook because she was more “willing to lose” that arm, being right-handed.
“I’ve never been in this position and I wouldn’t understand what would go on, but if a shark was attacking you, you wouldn’t have much time to think,’” Fevola said on-air, as Langbroek agreed, “No, most people say you don’t even know what’s happening.”
Fevola said he was watching the program at home and was left wondering if Stewart had embellished her story.
“I was on the couch with my wife going, ‘Too much time to think! You’re not thinking all that are you?’” he said.
Brendan Fevola and Kate Langbroek wondered if Stewart poured “a lot of mayo” in her survival story. Picture: Instagram
Stewart bravely recalled her encounter with the shark that took her left arm. Picture: 60 Minutes
Langbroek appeared to defend Stewart, saying there is no way they could put themselves in her shoes.
“Mercifully, we don’t know,” she reasoned. “But it does seem unusual. The only other person I know who’s punched a shark is [professional surfer] Mick Fanning. He said at the time he didn’t even have a chance to think about what he was doing, it was like a reflex.”
Fanning made headlines in 2015 when he was attacked by a great white shark during a surfing tournament in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa. The three-time world champion survived the attack after he kicked and punched the shark until it swam away.
Fevola said he just couldn’t understand Stewart’s thought process during a moment where many would likely blank out.
“Come on, ‘Oh, right or left?’ Like bro, you are amazing – you punched a shark in the face and survived – but you’re not thinking all that,” he said. “That’s a lot of mayo.”
In her interview, Stewart recalled the exact moment she came face-to-face with the shark’s “black little beady eyes”. Picture: 60 Minutes
Listeners were left divided with Fevola’s comments, some agreeing with him while others arguing that everyone reacts to scenarios in different ways.
“We all react differently in panicked situations, some stay composed others lose all composure … I found the interview, on her behalf, very sincere !!! She didn’t stop thinking, probably why she pulled through,” one commented on The Fox’s official Facebook account.
“She survived a great white attack. I don’t think anyone can question what she thought, felt or did. Nor should they. Love you, Fev – but can’t agree with your thoughts on this one,” another listener wrote.
“Her truth is hers. we all saw the footage. why can’t we just be in awe that she survived,” one user commented.
Stewart was attacked back in June when she went for a swim in Sydney’s Coogee Beach. Picture: 60 Minutes
But Fevola was not alone in his thinking, with other listeners saying his opinion is valid.
“Thought the same thing. Who has time in that moment to go which limb is the least important to me …. so odd,” one listener wondered.
“She did great to fight that shark off but I certainly watched that and thought there is a tonne of mayo on that story!” commented one critic.
More Coverage
“Its an undoubtedly incredible story, and I dont doubt she fought like hell, but this has been very sensationalised,” read another comment.
They added, “In these situations the prefrontal cortex switches off and adrenaline and instinct kicks in, and there is no planning or rational thought, only survival.”
News.com.au has reached out to Ms Stewart for comment.
Originally published as Radio hosts question shark attack survivor Leah Stewart’s harrowing story: ‘That’s a lot of mayo’
