IT’S GOING TO BITE MY HEAD OFF: MOTHER LEAH STEWART RECALLS THE MOMENT THE SHARK CAME WITHIN 30CM OF HER — AND THE EXTRAORDINARY STRENGTH OF A MOTHER
Sydney shark attack survivor Leah Stewart has told of the terrifying moment she came face to face with the suspected great white shark that mauled her.
“It got to the point where it was about 30cm from my face and it sort of started opening its mouth, and I’m like, it’s going to get my face, it’s going to bite my face,” Stewart said ahead of an extended interview with 60 Minutes airing on Sunday at 8.30pm.
Shark attack survivor Leah Stewart has recalled details of how she survived a mauling at Coogee Beach in eastern Sydney. Nine
Stewart has opened up about her horror ordeal. 60 Minutes
Stewart was in tears as she recalled the brutal attack at Coogee Beach on June 13, which left her fighting for life in hospital and needing to have an arm amputated.
She says her immediate reaction to confronting the shark was to fight it off.
“I’m like, I’ve got to try and punch it. I’ve got to try and push it away or else it’s going to bite my head off.
“And in that moment I thought, well, which limb am I willing to lose? I’m right-handed. So I decided, let’s do a left hook.”
The limb was later amputated by surgeons after the 34-year-old mother was pulled from the beach and rushed to hospital.
Shark attack survivor Leah Stewart opens up about that day in Coogee on 60 Minutes. Nine
Stewart has this week been revealing details of her ordeal for the first time.
She said she will never forget the sight of the shark as it came for her.
“Its face was horrific, I’m never going to forget its face. It was a monster,” she said.
Stewart revealed first thoughts as she was being attacked were of her daughter.
“I was holding onto my leg and I just thought of August [her daughter]. And I thought … she’s not going to have a mum,” Stewart said.
Stewart said despite her injuries, she is recovering well. 60 Minutes
Stewart has also provided an update on her recovery, describing her progress as “remarkable” in her first personal message after her incredible survival.
She said she was clawing back normality and was trying to embrace “a second chance at life” after an incredibly difficult few months.
“I’m so happy that I’ve progressed enough to build some independence, and I can finally see some light after all of this,” Stewart said in a message posted on her GoFundMe page, which she said would no longer accept donations after more than $558,000 had been raised.
SOURCE: 9 NEWS
https://www.nine.com.au/australia-news/nsw/which-limb-am-i-willing-to-lose-sydney-shark-attack-victim-leah-stewart-recalls-ordeal-20260828-p60sbm.html
