Accidents

Sydney Shark Attack Victim Briefly Wakes From Coma

Should NSW expand drone surveillance to prevent shark attacks or cull sharks to protect swimmers?

Published JUN 24

Sydney Shark Attack Victim Briefly Wakes From Coma

Story

Above: A beach closed sign is displayed at Coogee Beach in Sydney, Australia, on June 13. Image credit: Oliver Hotham/AFP/Getty Images

The Facts

Leah Stewart, a 34-year-old teacher and mother, briefly woke from an induced coma on Tuesday, more than a week after she was attacked by a shark at Sydney's Coogee Beach on June 13, sustaining life-threatening injuries, including severe bites and major blood loss.
The Sydney Morning Herald
ITV
Stewart's first words upon waking were "I love you," spoken to her mother and partner, who had remained by her bedside in the ICU since the attack. Her brother Joshua said her first thoughts were of her one-year-old daughter, August.
CTVNews
Guardian
Stewart underwent five days of surgery in the week following the attack, including an arm amputation, with further operations scheduled. Her brother Joshua described her recovery as "a long road ahead" while noting the development as "a positive first step."
News.com.au
ABC Australia
A fundraising page set up to support Stewart and her family had raised more than AU$488,000 (around $336,000) in donations. Hundreds of swimmers also gathered at Coogee Beach over the weekend in a show of solidarity with Stewart.
GoFundMe
Guardian
Independent
In response to the attack and a series of other shark incidents, the New South Wales government announced plans on Wednesday for year-round drone surveillance at beaches and allocated AU$87 million in additional shark mitigation funding in Tuesday's budget.
News.com.au
Independent
Australia has recorded nearly 1,300 shark incidents since 1791, with more than 260 resulting in death. This year, four people were killed in shark attacks in the first half of 2026, including a 12-year-old boy who died after being bitten in Sydney Harbour in January.
CTVNews
ITV

Sources Split

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CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Above all, Leah Stewart's recovery is nothing short of extraordinary. Waking from an induced coma to say "I love you" after five days of surgery and arm amputation is a testament to her strength. Her family called it a "miracle," and that word fits. With more procedures ahead, this first step gives real hope that a 34-year-old mum and teacher can find her way back to her daughter, August.

Nine

Government-critical narrative

Leah Stewart lost an arm and nearly lost her life, yet politicians like Premier Minns still seem more concerned with protecting sharks than protecting families. After a string of attacks and deaths, beachgoers deserve more than drones and promises. Reopen commercial shark fisheries, remove dangerous sharks from popular swimming areas, and put people before sharks before another parent, child, or surfer pays the price.

Tony Abbott on Facebook

Sky News Australia on Youtube

Pro-government narrative

Shark culls are a feel-good non-solution that marine biologists say would actually make beaches more dangerous by attracting sharks closer to shore. Expanding drone surveillance across more NSW beaches is the smart, science-backed move, and Premier Minns is right to push world-leading drone technology instead of targeting protected migratory species that no cull could meaningfully reduce.

ABC Australia

Sky News Australia