A woman who spent 10 days in an induced coma after a shark attack at a Sydney, Australia, beach has spoken to her family for the first time since the incident, according to an update shared by her brother, as reported by Fox News.

Leah Stewart regained consciousness Tuesday after doctors reduced her sedation while she continued recovering in the intensive care unit.

According to a message posted on a fundraising page by her brother, her first words to her mother and partner were, "I love you."

Sydney mum Leah Stewart has spoken her first words after being woken from an induced coma following the horrific Coogee Beach shark attack.

Her family said the 35-year-old told her mum and partner “I love you” and asked about her young daughter, with loved ones calling the step… pic.twitter.com/WkCWKhCCMt — The Project (@theprojecttv) June 24, 2026

The update marked a significant milestone in Stewart's recovery after she underwent multiple surgeries following the June 13 attack at Coogee Beach, a popular beach in Sydney.

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"After a week of life-support and repeat[ed] surgeries, doctors were able to extubate Leah and reduce her level of sedation to bring her out of the induced coma for a short period of time," Stewart's brother wrote.

"This allowed Leah to share her first words, ‘I love you,’ with her Mum and partner Fernando, who have been by her side in ICU since the incident."

He also said Stewart's thoughts quickly turned to her young daughter.

"Her first thoughts were with her daughter August," he wrote, adding that she immediately asked whether her daughter was OK.

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Stewart, a teacher and mother in her mid-30s, remains in critical care as she continues recovering from the injuries she suffered during the attack.

According to the fundraising update, she has undergone five surgeries since arriving at the hospital, including the amputation of one arm.

Emergency responders airlifted Stewart to the hospital in critical condition after the attack occurred on the morning of June 13.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Stewart had been swimming near the shoreline at Coogee Beach while a friend watched her daughter from the beach when the attack occurred.

Her brother described her progress as encouraging and said her recovery has advanced more quickly than the family had expected.

"This is a lot faster than anyone expected, and for us this feels like a miracle and is everything so many of us have hoped and prayed for over the past week," he wrote.

Although Stewart has regained consciousness and communicated with family members, her recovery remains ongoing.

"Leah has a long road ahead and still remains in critical care, but this is such a positive first step and gives us hope for Leah’s long-term recovery," her brother added.

Medical staff continues to monitor Stewart in intensive care while she recovers from the surgeries and begins rehabilitation.

After 11 days in a coma, Coogee shark attack victim Leah Stewart has woken with a beautiful message to her mum and partner: "I love you". It came as sharks forced evacuations at two Sydney beaches, and tonight we can reveal new details on the plan to protect swimmers. pic.twitter.com/Z45VLjPkWG

— 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) June 24, 2026

The attack has drawn renewed attention to a series of fatal shark attacks that have occurred in Australia in recent months.

According to the report, three men have been killed in shark attacks in Australia since May. Earlier this year, a 12-year-old boy was also killed in a shark attack in Sydney Harbour in January.

Authorities have not released additional details regarding the shark involved in Stewart's attack.

Family members have continued providing updates through the fundraising page while thanking supporters for their messages and encouragement as Stewart remains hospitalized.

Her recovery continues under the care of medical teams in Sydney, with relatives expressing hope that her ability to speak to loved ones marks another positive step in her rehabilitation following the June 13 incident.

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