Sydney woman wakes from induced coma after shark attack

Leah Stewart, a 34-year-old teacher, has shown signs of recovery after a severe shark attack on June 13 at Sydney's Coogee Beach. Her family reported that she briefly woke from an induced coma, offering a glimmer of hope after a week of critical care.

Stewart sustained multiple bites to her arms and legs during the attack, leading to significant blood loss. She was rushed to the hospital and has undergone multiple surgeries, including the amputation of one arm. Her condition was initially critical.

On Tuesday, doctors reduced Stewart's medication, allowing her to wake briefly. During this time, she was able to speak to her mother and partner, expressing her love and asking about her one-year-old daughter. Her brother, Joshua Stewart, shared the news online, calling her awakening a "miracle" and a "positive first step" for her long-term recovery.

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This is a lot faster than anyone expected, and for us this feels like a miracle and is everything so many of us have hoped and prayed for over the past week.

Despite this encouraging development, Stewart remains in intensive care. She has had five days of surgery over the past week, with more procedures scheduled. Her family acknowledges she has a "long road ahead."

The attack occurred while Stewart was swimming near the shore. This incident is part of a recent spate of shark attacks in Australia, including four attacks in two days in January and two fatal attacks in May. The frequency of these encounters has raised concerns along the coast.

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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.