SHARK ATTACK SURVIVOR LEAH STEWART FACES HEARTBREAKING SETBACK AFTER SKIN GRAFT FAILS

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — Leah Stewart survived a terrifying encounter with a great white shark that left her without her left arm and fighting for her life.

But more than three months later, the 35-year-old mother is facing another painful setback in her long recovery.

Stewart has revealed that a skin graft on her badly injured leg has failed, leaving the wound still open and forcing doctors to reconsider the next stage of her treatment.

In an emotional update shared with her followers, Stewart said she was feeling “pretty devastated” after learning the graft had not worked.

THE ATTACK THAT CHANGED HER LIFE

Stewart was swimming at Coogee Beach in Sydney on June 13, 2026, when she was attacked by what was believed to be a roughly 4-metre great white shark.

She had been swimming close to shore and inside the flagged area when the shark suddenly appeared.

During a later interview with Australia’s 60 Minutes, Stewart recalled finding herself face-to-face with the enormous animal.

At one point, she realized she had to protect her head and make a split-second decision about how to fight back.

Because she is right-handed, Stewart decided to use her left arm to punch the shark.

The attack caused catastrophic injuries, and her left lower arm ultimately had to be amputated.

SHE FOUGHT TO SURVIVE FOR HER DAUGHTER

Stewart has said that thoughts of her young daughter, August, became a powerful reason to keep fighting.

As the shark dragged her underwater, she feared she might not survive.

She fought back repeatedly, punching the animal as hard as she could.

In her later interview, Stewart compared the experience to “fighting a dinosaur”, describing the shark as enormous and incredibly powerful.

The attack left her with severe injuries and enormous blood loss.

She was placed on life support and spent 10 days in a medically induced coma.

Doctors performed multiple operations as they worked to save her life and repair the extensive damage.

According to recent reports, Stewart has undergone 11 surgeries during her recovery.

A SECOND BATTLE: HER LEG WOUND

While the loss of her arm was one of the most devastating consequences of the attack, Stewart has also suffered serious injuries to her leg.

Doctors attempted a skin graft to help close the wound.

The procedure involved taking healthy skin from her right thigh and transferring it to the injured area on her left leg.

But the graft did not heal as hoped.

In an update posted on September 21, Stewart revealed that doctors had confirmed the graft had failed.

She told followers that the news had left her deeply upset and uncertain about what would happen next.

“PRETTY DEVASTATED”

Stewart was candid about the emotional impact of the latest setback.

More than three months after the shark attack, she is still dealing with an open wound on her leg.

She explained that doctors were now considering what treatment should come next.

For the moment, she has also been given a break from the vacuum-assisted dressing that had been used during the graft process.

The temporary break has given her slightly more freedom to move around, although the underlying injury remains a major part of her recovery.

Stewart also shared images showing the injured area, giving followers a glimpse into the physical reality of the recovery that has continued long after the dramatic rescue.

A LONG ROAD OF RECOVERY

Stewart’s recovery has involved far more than the initial emergency treatment.

She has had to adapt to life after losing part of her left arm while continuing to deal with significant damage to her leg.

Her family and partner have remained by her side throughout the process.

A large fundraising campaign has also attracted substantial support from members of the public who followed her story.

The money has helped Stewart and her family manage the enormous challenges created by the attack and her ongoing medical treatment.

SHE HAS NOT GIVEN UP

Despite the latest disappointment, Stewart’s message to supporters has remained focused on moving forward.

After explaining that the graft had failed, she made clear that she intends to continue her recovery.

The failed graft means another difficult stage lies ahead, but it has not changed her determination to rebuild her life after the attack.

Her story has also drawn attention to the extraordinary physical and emotional recovery that can follow a major shark attack.

What began as a normal morning swim at a familiar Sydney beach became a life-changing medical emergency.

Three months later, Stewart is still healing — both physically and emotionally.

And despite another painful setback, she is continuing to move forward, one step at a time.