{
  "id": 19091662,
  "title": "Shark bite survivor Leah Stewarts shows 'incredible' wound recovery",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/shark-bite-survivor-leah-stewarts-shows-incredible-wound-recovery",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-09T04:52:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-09/leah-stewart-health-update-shark-bite-recovery/107364450"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Leah Stewart, a 35-year-old teacher and mother from Coogee, Sydney, has shared her incredible journey of recovery after being bitten by a great white shark at Coogee Beach on June 13. Despite receiving over a dozen surgeries, including the amputation of her left arm, Stewart's leg wound has now healed, and she is no longer at risk of infection. The shark took a chunk out of her leg, leaving her without her quad muscle and outer hamstring. Doctors used a surgical technique called DermaClose to gradually close the wound, and while a skin graft was not possible, the bite eventually scarred. Stewart celebrated her 35th birthday last week and expressed pride in her body and the medical team that helped her survive the attack. She shared a video of her rescue, which showed lifeguards dragging her to shore. The ordeal left Stewart in a medically induced coma for over a week at St Vincent's Hospital and resulted in extreme blood loss. She also underwent EMDR therapy to process the traumatic event, which she said has been life-changing and helped her regain control over her life.",
  "summary": "The teacher and mother describes the shark taking a \"chunk\" of her leg so doctors were unable to save her quad muscle and outer hamstring.",
  "key_points": [
    "Leah Stewart, 35, survived great white shark bite at Coogee Beach",
    "Stewart underwent 12+ surgeries, including arm amputation",
    "Wound healed, no infection risk; celebrated 35th birthday"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The successful use of the DermaClose surgical technique demonstrates how specialized wound management can facilitate recovery even when traditional skin grafts are not a viable option for patients.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}