The woman who was attacked by a shark at Sydney's Coogee Beach has been identified as Leah Stewart, 35. She was swimming with two friends within the flagged area on Saturday morning when the incident occurred.
Critical Condition
Stewart suffered critical injuries and is still fighting for life in hospital. According to locals speaking to 7NEWS.com.au, the young mother was swimming about 30 metres offshore near the centre of the beach when she was attacked. A witness reported a large amount of blood in the water following the attack.
Heroic Rescue
Surf lifesaver Charlie Verco, 24, rushed towards danger to help save Stewart as the shark continued circling in the bloody water. 'I'd like to think I did enough to get her in fast enough,' he told 7NEWS. 'Once I had her next to me, I was just going, keep your head above water, keep breathing, you're doing really well, we're almost at the beach.' He added, 'Just anything, I guess, to feel the silence. It wasn't conversational. She was not in a great way.'
Footage showed Stewart clinging to life on the hero's paddle board while a shark alarm blared in the background as he brought her back to shore.
Medical Response
On the beach, an off-duty critical care doctor, paramedics, and lifeguards were waiting to save the woman. She was then rushed to St Vincent's Hospital.
