'I love you': Sydney shark attack survivor's first words to family

Leah Stewart, a Sydney mother who suffered a severe shark attack at Coogee Beach, has spoken her first words after briefly waking from an induced coma. Her family shared the "wonderful news" that doctors were able to reduce her sedation, allowing her to communicate with loved ones.

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I love you

Stewart, who is a 34-year-old teacher, reportedly told her mother and partner, who have been by her side in intensive care, "I love you." Her immediate concern was for her daughter, August, whom she asked about. Her brother, Joshua Stewart, described the moment as "a miracle" and expressed that it was "everything so many of us have hoped and prayed for."

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This allowed Leah to share her first words 'I love you' with her Mum and partner Fernando who have been by her side in ICU since the incident.

The attack occurred on Saturday, June 13, when Stewart was swimming near the shore. She sustained critical injuries, including the amputation of her arm, and underwent multiple surgeries. Off-duty lifeguard Charlie Verco assisted her to shore, where bystanders applied tourniquets and CPR before emergency services arrived. Stewart remains in intensive care and faces a long recovery period, with more surgeries scheduled.

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For us this feels like a miracle and is everything so many of us have hoped and prayed for over the past week.

In the wake of the attack, drumlines were deployed, and shark-spotting drones surveyed the waters. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns ruled out culling protected white sharks but indicated bull sharks could be targeted. More than $480,000 has been raised through an online fundraiser to support Stewart and her family. The incident follows other shark-related events in NSW earlier this year, including a fatality and another attack resulting in a leg amputation.

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Leah has a long road ahead and still remains in critical care, but this is such a positive first step and gives us hope for Leah's long term recovery.