Mother loses arm in great white shark attack at Sydney beach, debate over culling reignited

The attack

At around 11am on Saturday 13 June, Leah Stewart was swimming between the flags at Coogee Beach in Sydney’s east when a shark, believed to be a 3–4 metre great white, bit her about 30 metres from shore. The 35-year-old schoolteacher and mother sustained deep bites to both arms and her lower left leg, as well as fractures and extreme blood loss.

Rescue and medical condition

Members of the public, including off-duty surf lifesavers, rushed into the water to pull Stewart out. Elite paddleboarder Charlie Verco hauled her onto his board, and first aid was applied on the sand before a CareFlight helicopter airlifted her to St Vincent’s Hospital. Doctors were forced to amputate one of her arms, and more surgeries are scheduled. Stewart remains in a critical but stable condition, breathing with the help of a ventilator.

“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. Tragically her treatment has required the amputation of her arm, and more surgeries are scheduled for the coming days.”

Community in shock

The beach was closed for 24 hours before reopening on Monday under lifeguard and drone surveillance. Many locals, including a large Irish community, are now hesitant to return to the water. Alex Spango, a surfer of 35 years, described the mood as sombre:

“It’s like a horror movie. The community is 100% saddened, stunned, surprised and just … haunted.”

Irish resident Ryan Brady said he would not be getting back in “for a while”. An off-duty surf lifesaver who witnessed the attack recalled seeing “a lot of blood in the water”.

Family appeal

Stewart’s brother Joshua launched a GoFundMe page that raised around 106,000 Swiss francs within days to support her rehabilitation, prosthetics, and care for her one‑year‑old daughter. The family described Stewart as a devoted mother “full of life and energy” and said her partner, who was overseas at the time, has now returned.

Political firestorm

The attack has reignited a fierce debate over shark management. Former prime minister Tony Abbott posted a video calling for a cull, arguing it is “wrong” not to put people before sharks. NSW Premier Chris Minns said his government is actively considering a cull of bull sharks in response to a summer surge in bites.

“It’s so wrong that we don’t cull sharks after attacks. It’s so wrong we don’t put people before sharks.”

Expert scepticism

Marine scientists have pushed back, citing a complex mix of factors behind rising shark encounters. Emeritus Professor Rob Harcourt from Macquarie University said a cull would make no difference to beach safety, and noted that many species remain threatened. A recent study co‑authored by Harcourt identified 40 possible drivers, including human population growth, habitat change and climate shifts, making it hard to pin the increase on any single cause.

“A cull of sharks would make no difference to the risk of shark attacks at beaches.”