A shark attack victim has been given a “second chance at life” after being mauled by the creature during her morning swim.
Leah Stewart, 34, a teacher from Australia, has spoken of her gratitude after surviving a devastating shark attack at one of Sydney’s most popular beaches.
Ms Stewart was swimming at Coogee Beach on the morning of June 13 when she was savaged by what she later described as a “monster”.
The attack left her with severe bite wounds across her body and legs, causing substantial blood loss.
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Surgeons were forced to amputate one of her arms and she was placed into an induced coma whilst undergoing numerous operations.
More than two months on from the harrowing ordeal, the 34-year-old has now shared a message expressing profound thankfulness for her survival and the overwhelming public support she has received.
In a post published on Monday, Ms Stewart conveyed her heartfelt appreciation to those who had rallied behind her during her recovery.
“Once again, I don’t feel like I can say thank you enough,” she wrote.
“I want you to know that I feel like I’ve been given a second chance at life, and I’m not going to waste it.”
She pledged to repay the kindness shown to her, writing: “As I get better, I know I’ll make something of this second chance and aim to give back even more in generosity, care, and love.”
Ms Stewart added: “I will forever be grateful for everything, and everyone, I’ve been given.”
She told well-wishers: “You’ve inspired me to get better, not bitter.”
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Supporters established an online fundraiser on her behalf, which accumulated approximately AU$560,000 (£294,000) in donations.
Ms Stewart confirmed earlier today that the GoFundMe page would no longer be open to contributions, explaining that the funds raised would enable her to recuperate at home and pursue any future medical treatment she might require.
“After what has been an incredibly difficult few months, I’m so happy that I’ve progressed enough to build some independence,” she said.
“I can finally see some light after all of this.”
In an interview set to air this weekend on Australia’s 60 Minutes programme, Ms Stewart recalled the shark’s “horrific” appearance.
She described how thoughts of her daughter August drove her to fight back, saying: “I just thought, I’ve got to fight it, do everything I can to be here.”
The attack on Ms Stewart forms part of a troubling pattern of shark encounters across New South Wales this year.
In January, 12-year-old Nico Antic was fatally mauled at Vaucluse in Sydney, while musician Andre de Ruyter lost a leg following a suspected bull shark encounter at Manly Beach later that same month.
Two men aged 39 and 38 were killed in separate incidents during May.
One died along Queensland’s Cassowary Coast between Cairns and Townsville and the other at Horseshoe Reef near Perth.
Australia recorded five fatal shark attacks last year.
In response to the rising number of incidents, authorities have expanded a drone surveillance programme that now monitors 72 beaches along the New South Wales coastline from dawn until dusk.
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