As Swimmers Fled Violence, Widely-Shared Picture Captures Rescuer Dashing ‘Full Speed’ In the Direction of the Scene.
Alexandra Ching, a permanent resident of Bondi, views the famous beach as her own backyard. On that fateful weekend evening, she, similar to other others in the area, heard loud noises ringing out through the community.
“Everyone did, but I thought it was too light and no one could see them,” Ching states. Exiting her apartment, she saw people “pouring up Bondi Road”. Their expressions they wore signaled a crisis was unfolding.
Positioned on the avenue, talking to a duo who had rushed up the hill in their swimwear, she heard someone moving up behind her. It was a beach patrol officer, dashing to Bondi barefoot from the adjacent Tamarama beach – roughly 1.5km – while transporting a life-saving kit.
“I noticed a person utter ‘excuse me’, and as I turned I only caught a glimpse of this streak in blue,” she recounts. “He was just flying past. He was the only one running in the direction that everyone was trying to get away from, while holding that sizeable pack and barefoot … He moved at something that surely every instinct would instruct you to move in the other direction.
“Absolutely no pause, but just completely maximum effort sprinting.”
A Powerful Moment of Bravery Amidst Chaos
The image taken by Ching of the lifeguard, since identified as Jackson Doolan, rapidly circulated as among numerous acts of valour in the following of the tragic event.
Andy Reid, a fellow lifeguard, explained that Doolan, called “Jacko”, ran from Tamarama beach to back up the remaining crew at Bondi, as well as to aid surf lifesavers, officers and paramedics treating dozens of the injured.
Community Outpouring and Solidarity
Doolan’s story was a single example among several to come out of the community, with the lifeguard clubhouse beside the scene of the attack transforming into a makeshift treatment center. Accounts show that colleagues were also seen helping out, for instance entering the water to rescue people needing help.
Following the events, statements of appreciation flooded in. An online statement expressed gratitude for the lifeguards who demonstrated that “goodness will always conquer darkness”.
The squad of lifeguards issued a message, saying they were “processing what transpired”.
“Thank you all for your supportive messages and solidarity. We are touched by the care shown towards our team,” the team stated. “Eventually, we will recount our experiences in the hope that it helps those involved.”
Council Commendation
Waverley council, the governing body that hires many full-time lifeguards, said that the staff performed exceptionally from the instant the shooting started until late that nighttime.
“People have shared so many powerful stories, but the widely-circulated photo of Jackson Doolan, racing from Tamarama to Bondi with a AED so he could help save lives is incredible,” said a local official.
“The team demonstrate selflessness every day in maintaining the safety of our world-famous beaches safe for the public, but what we observed on that evening should be celebrated.
“While we mourn and process the terror of this heinous terrorist attack, I think it is crucial that we reflect on just how much positivity we have observed in the face of such evil.”
