An Australian primary schoolteacher injured in a shark attack off Sydney’s Coogee Beach recounted the harrowing encounter in which she fought the predator to survive. Leah Stewart, in her mid-30s, was swimming in the late morning on June 13 when she was attacked by what witnesses described as a great white shark measuring up to 13 feet in length.

Stewart said she heard a scream nearby and turned to see a large fin cutting through the water. Initially mistaking it for a dolphin, she quickly realized the danger and began shouting warnings. As the shark approached, she locked eyes with the animal, describing its face as “horrific,” with large teeth and small, black eyes. Fearing a facial bite, Stewart decided to defend herself.

“I thought, well, which limb am I willing to lose? I’m right-handed, so I decided let’s do a left hook,” she said. She threw a punch with her left arm, but the shark clamped onto her forearm, tearing through skin and muscle. Moments later, it bit into her left thigh and pulled her underwater.

Recalling the struggle, Stewart compared her efforts to “fighting a dinosaur,” describing the shark as immense and unyielding. She said she repeatedly punched the animal until it released her, allowing her to resurface. Stewart attributed her survival to the strength of her blows during the fight beneath the water.

She was pulled ashore and assisted by Charlie Verco, an elite paddleboarder who was nearby in the water. Emergency medical personnel treated her at the beach before she was rushed to hospital. Stewart was placed in an induced coma, and part of her left arm was subsequently amputated due to the severity of the injuries. After about 10 days, doctors reduced her sedation, and she regained consciousness.

Scientists in Australia have noted that rising ocean temperatures may be altering shark migratory patterns, potentially increasing encounters with humans along the coast. This incident highlights the ongoing risks posed by such changes and the importance of safety awareness for ocean swimmers.