Woman has arm amputated after Coogee shark attack, ‘devastated’ family say

Leah Stewart was attacked by a suspected 3.5-metre great white shark at about 11am on Saturday at Coogee beach in Sydney. Photograph: Nadir Kinani/AAP View image in fullscreen Leah Stewart was attacked by a suspected 3.5-metre great white shark at about 11am on Saturday at Coogee beach in Sydney. Photograph: Nadir Kinani/AAP Woman has arm amputated after Coogee shark attack, ‘devastated’ family say Family of Sydney mother Leah Stewart say they are ‘shocked’ and reveal more surgeries scheduled in coming days Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The woman injured in Saturday’s shark attack at Coogee beach has had her arm amputated and remains in a critical condition, her family has revealed. Leah Stewart, a 35-year-old schoolteacher, mother and dedicated ocean swimmer, was attacked by a suspected 3.5-metre great white shark at about 11am on Saturday. Authorities have said she was swimming between the flags and “doing everything right” at the time of the attack. Her brother Joshua Stewart has launched a public appeal, detailing the extent of her injuries and confirming that she remains on life support at St Vincent’s hospital. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email “Leah was attacked by a shark and has sustained severe and life-threatening injuries with multiple bites across her arms and legs, lacerations and fractures throughout her body, and extreme blood loss,” Stewart said on the Gofundme page launched on Monday afternoon. “Tragically her treatment has required the amputation of her arm, and more surgeries are scheduled for the coming days.” Stewart described his sister as a devoted mother to her one-year-old daughter. “As a family we are shocked and devastated that this could happen to our beloved partner, daughter and mother who is so full of life and energy.” The family extended their gratitude to elite paddle boarder Charlie Verco , who grabbed hold of Stewart and pulled her on to his board. They also thanked the surf life-savers, CareFlight helicopter crew and medical teams who kept her alive. A shark attacked a swimmer at a popular Sydney beach. How rare is it – and how can you stay safe? Read more “We ask that the media and members of the public please respect our need for privacy at this time as we focus on supporting Leah through her care and recovery, as well as her daughter and partner, as we navigate the challenges ahead,” a separate statement, issued by the victim’s family via St Vincent’s hospital, said. The horrific incident has reignited a fierce political debate over beach safety in NSW. Former prime minister Tony Abbott entered the fray on Monday, posting a video to social media demanding a cull of the predators. “It’s so wrong that we don’t cull sharks after attacks,” Abbott said. “It’s so wrong we don’t put people before sharks.” Emeritus Prof Rob Harcourt, who leads the marine predator research group at Macquarie University, said a cull of