Sydney shark attack survivor describes moment she came to face-to-face with ‘monster’

Leah Stewart, 34, with her daughter before the attack. The teacher was attacked by a shark at Coogee beach in Sydney, Australia on 13 June. Photograph: Gofundme

An Australian woman who lost an arm after a shark attack at a beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has recalled the moment she came face-to-face with the “monster”.

Leah Stewart, a 34-year-old teacher and mother of a one-year-old daughter, was attacked by a large shark while on a morning swim at Coogee beach on 13 June.