Mom mauled by shark describes agonizing split-second decision she made to survive

A mom who lost her arm in an Australian shark attack recalled the moment she had to choose “which limb am I willing to lose” after coming face-to-face with the beast.

Leah Stewart, 34, was attacked around 100 feet from the shore off Sydney’s iconic Coogee Beach on June 13 by what was suspected to be a great white shark.

She described in haunting detail the moment she realized she had to make an agonizing decision to save her own life.

“It got to the point where it was about 30 centimeters from my face and it sort of started opening its mouth,” Stewart told Australia’s 60 Minutes in an interview which is airing this Sunday, recalling how she fought for survival.

“I’m like, I’ve got to try and punch it. I’ve got to try and push it away or else it’s going to bite my head off.

“And in that moment I thought, well, which limb am I willing to lose? I’m right-handed. So I decided, let’s do a left hook.”

Stewart, who has a young daughter named August, had to have her left arm amputated.

Stewart is comforted by her husband as she describes her ordeal. Nine
Emergency personnel attend the scene of a shark attack at Coogee Beach in Sydney, Australia. REUTERS
Sydney shark attack victim Leah Stewart recalls her ordeal. Nine
Sydney shark attack victim Leah Stewart lost her arm in the attack. Nine

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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