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Shark Bite Survivor Leah Stewart Briefly Awakens, Sparks Hope

6/24/2026

30 5 Full Breakdown

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Leah Stewart Briefly Awakens

Leah Stewart briefly awoke from an induced coma, greeting her mother and partner before returning to intensive care.
The shark bite on 13 June left Leah Stewart, 34, in serious condition, intensive care.
Doctors reduced medication after five days of surgeries, including arm amputation, to enable awakening.
Brother Joshua posted the brief awakening felt like a miracle and hopes for long-term recovery.

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Minns Deploys Drones

NSW Premier Chris Minns announced deployment of world-leading shark-detection drones on several Sydney beaches.
Leah Stewart, a 34-year-old teacher, was bitten by a white shark at Coogee Beach and is now conscious after extubation.
A crowdfunding campaign for Stewart’s medical care has raised more than $488,000.
Minns ruled out culling white sharks, noting bull sharks threaten swimmers after child, musician attacks.

History

Historical Context

Cape Town’s non-lethal Shark Spotters program, operating since 2006, was expanded in 2015 to improve monitoring after a spike in white-shark attacks. New South Wales, where shark nets have protected beaches since 1935, Premier Chris Minns announced a rollout of detection drones at Coogee and Bondi, echoing the Brazilian Recife initiative that reduced shark attacks by roughly 97% using drum lines.

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Leah Stewart Briefly Awakens

Leah Stewart briefly awoke from an induced coma, greeting her mother and partner before returning to intensive care.
The shark bite on 13 June left Leah Stewart, 34, in serious condition, intensive care.
Doctors reduced medication after five days of surgeries, including arm amputation, to enable awakening.
Brother Joshua posted the brief awakening felt like a miracle and hopes for long-term recovery.

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