On the morning of Saturday, 14 June 2026, a 35-year-old woman, Leah Stewart, was swimming about 30 metres from the shore at Coogee Beach in Sydney when a three-to-four metre shark attacked her. She suffered severe wounds to her left leg and arm. What followed — before the ambulance even arrived — was a masterclass in why first aid training saves lives.

A lifeguard on a paddleboard reached her as the shark circled. Bystanders hauled Leah to shore. An off-duty doctor and others immediately applied tourniquets to the bleeding limbs. She was airlifted to hospital in critical condition — and as of Monday 16 June, was reported to be in stable condition.

That shift from critical to stable didn’t happen by accident. It happened because people on the beach knew what to do.

At Coastal First Aid, we train people across Port Macquarie, Taree, and the Mid North Coast to respond in exactly these moments. This article explains what happened at Coogee, what first aid made the difference, and what every Australian who spends time near the water should know.

What Happened at Coogee Beach

At 11:15 am on Saturday 14 June, Leah Stewart — swimming with two friends — was bitten by a shark described by lifeguard Tony Waller as approximately 11 feet (3.3 metres) long.

Lifeguard Charlie Verco was on his paddleboard nearby. He told media: “I saw the shark come out of the water and just the size of it shocked me. I kept paddling towards her and the shark took her underwater. A couple of seconds later, she popped up again.”

On the beach, an off-duty doctor named Ian Ferguson — there with his family — described seeing a large cloud of blood in the water. Ferguson and other bystanders immediately applied tourniquets and provided first aid until paramedics arrived. Leah was then airlifted to hospital.

Verco reached the victim, but she was too weak to climb onto the board. He grabbed Leah’s arm and began pulling her toward shore while other swimmers helped guide them in.

Coogee Beach and surrounding beaches were closed for 24 hours. As of Monday 15 June, Coogee reopened under enhanced lifeguard patrols, jet ski surveillance, and shark-spotting drone coverage from Surf Life Saving NSW.

Australia’s Shark Attack Landscape in 2026

Saturday’s attack at Coogee did not occur in isolation. Australia has recorded a troubling number of shark incidents in 2026 already:

• In January, three separate shark attacks occurred in Sydney within just 26 hours, leaving a 12-year-old boy and a man in his 20s critically injured.
• In May 2026, three spearfishing divers were killed by sharks in under a month — bringing the national fatality count to four by the time of the Coogee attack.
• Australia averages between two and three fatal shark attacks per year according to the Australian Shark Incident Database, a collaboration between Taronga Conservation Society, Flinders University, and the NSW Government.

It’s worth keeping the statistics in perspective. Shark attacks remain statistically rare events given the millions of Australians who swim, surf, and snorkel year-round. But the risk is real — and the response in the first few minutes after an attack determines whether the victim survives.

What First Aid Was Used at Coogee — And Why It Worked

The response at Coogee demonstrates the core principles taught in nationally accredited first aid training. Here’s what made the difference:

1. Getting the Victim Out of the Water

Before any treatment is possible, the casualty needs to be removed from danger. Lifeguard Verco did this instinctively — paddling toward the victim despite the shark remaining nearby. Other beachgoers assisted in bringing her to shore. Getting someone out of the water quickly reduces ongoing blood loss and eliminates the risk of drowning.

2. Applying Tourniquets to Stop Catastrophic Bleeding

This is the critical intervention that almost certainly saved Leah Stewart’s life.

A person can bleed out from a major limb wound in under five minutes. In shark attack injuries — which often involve deep, wide bites to the legs and arms — controlling haemorrhage is the absolute priority. First aid training teaches that when direct pressure alone is insufficient, a tourniquet should be applied above the wound to cut off blood flow to the limb.

At Coogee, Dr Ferguson and bystanders applied tourniquets to the woman’s arm and leg wounds before paramedics arrived. Reports indicate Leah Stewart had a 12-inch-wide bite on her thigh exposing bone, and a similar wound to her arm — injuries that, without immediate intervention, would have proved fatal within minutes.

This is not the first time bystander tourniquet application has saved a life in a shark attack on Australian shores. In July 2024, a surfer at North Shore Beach in Port Macquarie had his leg severed by a great white shark. An off-duty police officer walking his dog used the dog’s lead as a makeshift tourniquet — and the young man survived.

3. Keeping the Patient Calm and Warm

Losing a lot of blood puts the body into shock — heart rate spikes, blood pressure drops, and vital organs start to struggle. On top of that, cold seawater accelerates heat loss, and a cold body clots blood poorly, which can make bleeding harder to control even with a tourniquet in place. Getting wet clothing off and covering the patient with towels or a blanket isn’t just about keeping them comfortable — it genuinely helps.

4. Calling 000 Immediately

Ambulance services and the rescue helicopter were alerted quickly. First aid buys time — it doesn’t replace professional medical care. Calling 000 at the earliest opportunity allows paramedics and aeromedical teams to mobilise while bystanders manage the scene.

Beach Safety: What to Do if You Witness a Shark Attack

If you’re ever on a beach or in the water when a shark attack occurs, these steps reflect current Australian first aid guidance:

In the Water

• Alert others calmly and get everyone out of the water immediately.
• If you can safely assist without putting yourself at risk, help the victim to shore — support them from behind or use a board, rope, or flotation device.
• Do not enter the water if the shark is still active in the area.

On Shore

• Call 000 immediately — do this first, or have someone else do it while you attend to the patient.
• Get someone to notify surf life savers or lifeguards if they are on duty
• If a limb wound is bleeding heavily apply a tourniquet above the wound (between the wound and the heart), tighten until bleeding stops, and note the time.
• Most popular beaches in NSW now a Community Shark Bite Kit. Some Surf Life Saving Clubs are also making one publicly available on the outside of their clubhouse.
• For minor bleeding apply firm direct pressure to the wound using any clean material available — clothing, towels, a wetsuit panel.
• Keep the patient lying down, still, and warm. Remove wet clothing if possible and cover with towels or blankets.
• Monitor their breathing and consciousness until emergency services arrive.
• Do not remove any embedded objects — stabilise them and dress around them.

The key message is this: most shark attack fatalities are caused by blood loss, not the initial bite. Fast action by trained bystanders changes outcomes.

Why Coastal First Aid Training Matters — Especially on the Mid North Coast

Events like the Coogee attack, and the 2024 Port Macquarie shark attack, are a stark reminder that emergencies don’t happen on a schedule. They happen at the beach, at the surf break, on the boat ramp, or at the local swimming hole — well away from a hospital.

Port Macquarie and the Mid North Coast of NSW is home to some of the most beautiful and heavily used coastline in Australia. Our communities spend a significant amount of time in and around the ocean. That makes first aid knowledge here especially relevant.

First Aid training doesn’t just help in shark attacks. Completing a first aid course gives you the skills to respond confidently to a cardiac arrest, choking, anaphylaxis, asthma, and dozens of other emergencies that can occur anywhere — in the surf, at a sporting event, at work, or at home.

Coastal First Aid offers nationally recognised first aid training (HLTAID011 Provide First Aid) and CPR courses (HLTAID009) at locations across the Mid North Coast, with same-day certificates, short practical sessions, and training designed to be genuinely memorable — not just a tick-box exercise.

Ready to Learn First Aid?

The people who made a difference at Coogee Beach didn’t hesitate. They acted because they knew what to do.

Whether you live in Port Macquarie, Taree, or anywhere along the Mid North Coast of NSW, first aid training could be the difference between life and death — for someone at the beach, in the surf, or anywhere else an emergency strikes.

Don’t delay, check out our upcoming public Port Macquarie First Aid course and Taree First Aid course dates and enrol in a first aid course today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What first aid should you give in a shark attack?

The priority is stopping catastrophic bleeding. Get the person out of the water, apply firm direct pressure to all wounds, and use a tourniquet on limb injuries that won’t stop bleeding with pressure alone. Keep the patient warm and calm, and call 000 immediately.

Can bystanders really make a difference in a shark attack?

Yes — and the Coogee attack in June 2026 is a clear example. The woman survived in part because bystanders, including an off-duty doctor, applied tourniquets before paramedics arrived. In shark attack injuries, the first few minutes of haemorrhage control are critical.

Are shark attacks becoming more common in Australia?

Australia typically averages two to three fatal shark attacks per year, according to the Australian Shark Incident Database. 2026 has seen a higher-than-average number of serious incidents. However, shark attacks remain statistically rare relative to the number of people who swim at Australian beaches each year.

What is a tourniquet and how do you use one?

A tourniquet is a device applied tightly around a limb above a wound to cut off blood flow and stop life-threatening bleeding. In a beach emergency, you can improvise one using a belt, fabric, or rope. It should be placed 5–7 cm above the wound, tightened until bleeding stops, and the time noted. Tourniquets are taught in HLTAID011 Provide First Aid training.

Where can I do a first aid course on the Mid North Coast?

Coastal First Aid runs accredited first aid and CPR courses throughout Port Macquarie, Taree, and surrounding areas on the Mid North Coast. Courses are practical, hands-on, and include same-day certificates. Check our upcoming course dates to find a session near you.

Do I need first aid training to apply a tourniquet?

You don’t need training to take action — in a life-threatening emergency, doing something is better than nothing. However, proper first aid training gives you the knowledge, confidence, and practice to respond correctly under pressure. Untrained improvisation can sometimes cause harm, which is why having a current first aid certificate makes a genuine difference.