While Sunbathers Escaped Attack, Popular Picture Shows Beach Patrol Sprinting ‘Pedal to the Metal’ Towards the Site.

Alexandra Ching, someone who has spent her entire life as inhabitant of Bondi, has always considered the renowned shoreline as her own backyard. On that fateful weekend evening, she, like many local residents, noticed cracking sounds ringing out across the suburb.

“That was the initial assumption, but I considered it was daylight and there was nothing visible,” she explains. Exiting her residence, she observed people “flooding up Bondi Road”. The faces they wore made it clear trouble had occurred.

Positioned on the street, speaking to a duo who had rushed up the hill soaked, she heard someone coming up behind her. It was a lifeguard, sprinting towards Bondi without shoes from the adjacent Tamarama beach – roughly 1.5km – while transporting a defibrillator.

“I heard someone say ‘excuse me’, and as I turned I only caught a glimpse of this blur of blue,” Ching describes. “He was simply racing by. He was the only one heading in the opposite way that all the others was trying to escape from, carrying that big kit and barefoot … He’s running into something that surely every part of you would signal you to run in the reverse way.

“Just no hesitation, but just completely maximum effort running.”

A Symbol of Bravery Amidst Crisis

The photograph Ching captured of the lifeguard, since identified as Jackson Doolan, was widely shared as one of many acts of heroism in the wake of the violent incident.

Andy Reid, another lifeguard, explained that Doolan, called “Jacko”, hurried from Tamarama beach to back up the other members at Bondi, as well as to aid surf lifesavers, law enforcement and paramedics treating many victims.

Local Outpouring and Assistance

Doolan’s actions was a single example among several to be shared by the local area, with the patrol base next to the site of the violence serving as a makeshift treatment center. It was shared that colleagues were also seen helping out, including going into the surf to assist people needing help.

Following the events, statements of support circulated widely. One post conveyed appreciation for the lifeguards who demonstrated that “kindness will always triumph over evil”.

The group of beach patrol published a communication, saying they were “coming to terms with what occurred”.

“Our thanks go out to all for your kind words and encouragement. We are overwhelmed by the kindness directed at our team,” the group stated. “Eventually, we will recount our experiences in the aim that it helps those impacted.”

Council Recognition

Waverley council, the local authority that hires many professional beach safety officers, stated that the team performed exceptionally from the second the shooting began through to late that night.

“There have been so many moving stories, but the widely-circulated image of Jackson Doolan, running from Tamarama to Bondi with a defibrillator so he could help assist the injured is remarkable,” stated a local official.

“These individuals demonstrate dedication every day in maintaining the safety of our internationally renowned shores secure for visitors, but what we observed on that evening should be commended.

“As we grieve and come to terms with the horror of this brutal and barbaric terrorist attack, I think it is vital that we consider just how much good we have witnessed in the midst of such evil.”