While Sunbathers Ran From Attack, Widely-Shared Photo Shows Rescuer Running ‘Pedal to the Metal’ Towards the Site.
Alexandra Ching, a lifelong inhabitant of Bondi, describes the iconic beach as her own backyard. On that particular weekend evening, she, along with numerous others in the area, detected loud noises ringing out through the suburb.
“That was the initial assumption, but I considered it was still too bright and there was nothing visible,” Ching recounts. Exiting her residence, she witnessed people “pouring up Bondi Road”. The faces on display told her trouble had occurred.
As she stood on the road, talking to a couple who had rushed up the hill soaked, she heard someone coming up at her rear. The person was a beach patrol officer, dashing in the direction of Bondi unshod from the adjacent Tamarama beach – roughly 1.5km – while transporting a life-saving kit.
“I caught a voice saying ‘excuse me’, and when I spun around I spotted this blur of blue,” she recounts. “He was zooming past. He was alone moving in the opposite way that all the others was trying to escape from, and hauling that sizeable pack and unshod … He moved at something that certainly every instinct would signal you to run in the other direction.
“Without a second thought, but just totally full throttle running.”
A Symbol of Heroism Amidst Crisis
The photograph Ching captured of the lifeguard, now known to be Jackson Doolan, was widely shared as one of many acts of courage in the following of the tragic event.
Andy Reid, a second beach safety officer, says that Doolan, called “Jacko”, ran from Tamarama beach to back up the rest of his team at Bondi, as well as to help emergency personnel, law enforcement and medical teams caring for many victims.
Local Outpouring and Assistance
Doolan’s account was just one of many to be shared by the local area, with the lifeguard clubhouse next to the site of the incident transforming into a temporary hospital. It was shared that fellow lifeguards were also seen helping out, such as going into the surf to rescue people needing help.
After the events, messages of appreciation flooded in. One post conveyed appreciation for the responders who demonstrated that “kindness will always overcome evil”.
The squad of lifeguards published a statement, noting they were “processing what occurred”.
“We are grateful all for your kind messages and encouragement. We are touched by the compassion shown towards our team,” the group stated. “In time, we will share our stories in the hope that it helps those impacted.”
Council Commendation
Waverley council, the administrative organization that hires many full-time beach safety officers, stated that the team performed exceptionally from the moment the shooting began right into late that evening.
“There have been so many emotional accounts, but the widely-circulated picture of Jackson Doolan, running from Tamarama to Bondi with a defibrillator so he could help preserve life is extraordinary,” said a council representative.
“These individuals show altruism every day in ensuring our internationally renowned shores safe for the public, but what we observed on Sunday should be celebrated.
“During this time of sorrow and process the terror of this brutal and barbaric act of violence, I think it is important that we consider just how much positivity we have witnessed in the midst of such darkness.”