Full Breakdown
Coogee Beach Shark Attack Triggers Medical, Community, and Policy Response
6/24/2026, 10:44:47 PM
Shark Attack at Coogee Beach
On 13 June 2026, 34-year-old teacher Leah Stewart was swimming 20-30 m from the shore at Coogee Beach when a large great-white shark bit her arms and legs. Off-duty lifeguard Charlie Verco paddled to her, while bystanders applied tourniquets and performed CPR before paramedics arrived. Stewart was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital in critical condition.
Hospital Care and Recovery
Stewart underwent five days of surgery, including left-arm amputation, and remained on life-support. On 24 June doctors reduced sedation, extubated her, and she briefly said “I love you” to her mother and partner. Officials described her condition as “critical but stable” and said further reconstructive procedures are planned.
Public Aid and Fundraising
A GoFundMe page set up by brother Joshua Stewart raised over $480,000 (reports $475,000-$488,000) for medical costs, prosthetics, and rehabilitation. Hundreds joined a commemorative swim organized by Coogee Surf Life Saving Club and Randwick City Council, with drones, jet skis, and rescue boats on standby.
NSW Government’s Drone Strategy
Premier Chris Minns said great-white sharks would not be culled but noted bull sharks as a “real threat”. He announced a “world-leading” rollout of shark-spotting drones across NSW beaches, a technology not yet used at scale in California, Florida or South Africa. The Department of Primary Industries confirmed daily drone flights over Bondi, Tamarama, Bronte, Coogee and Maroubra, and a temporary Civil Aviation Safety Authority exemption allows aerial surveillance at Coogee. Shark nets removed for winter whale migration are slated for re-installation in September.
Calls for Shark Culling
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott urged a commercial shark fishery and culling program, stating, “It’s so wrong that we don’t cull sharks after attacks.” His comment reflects ongoing public pressure for stricter shark control.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources list Stewart’s age as 34 or 35 and fundraising totals as $475,000-$488,000. Most reports name a great-white shark, but the Department of Primary Industries also logged a tiger-shark near Bondi, leaving the Coogee attacker’s species unconfirmed. Drone surveillance was not active at Coogee during the attack due to an aviation ban, later lifted.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I love you” — Leah Stewart, patient
- “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.” — Joshua Stewart, brother
- “We’ll be first.” — Chris Minns, NSW Premier
- “It’s so wrong that we don’t cull sharks after attacks.” — Tony Abbott, former Prime Minister
What’s Next
The NSW government will announce the cost and operational details of the expanded drone network within weeks. Stewart’s medical team expects further reconstructive surgeries and a prolonged rehabilitation period, while public debate may shape future shark-management policies, including possible restrictions on bull sharks.
