While Swimmers Escaped Violence, Widely-Shared Image Captures Rescuer Dashing ‘Pedal to the Metal’ To the Scene.
Alexandra Ching, a lifelong resident of Bondi, describes the renowned beach as her back yard. On that fateful weekend evening, she, along with numerous local residents, detected loud noises reverberating around the community.
“We all thought the same, but I thought it was still too bright and there was nothing visible,” she explains. Stepping out of her residence, she saw people “streaming up Bondi Road”. The looks on display made it clear something was wrong.
While standing on the road, speaking to a duo who had rushed up the slope soaked, she became aware of someone approaching behind her. The person was a rescuer, dashing in the direction of Bondi barefoot from the adjacent Tamarama beach – a distance of 1.5km – while holding a life-saving kit.
“I heard someone say ‘excuse me’, and when I spun around I spotted this streak in blue,” Ching describes. “He was zooming past. It was just him moving in the path that everyone was trying to escape from, carrying that big kit and without footwear … He was sprinting at something that surely every instinct would instruct you to go in the opposite direction.
“Absolutely no pause, but just totally pedal to the metal running.”
A Symbol of Bravery During Chaos
The photo that Ching snapped of the rescuer, now known to be Jackson Doolan, quickly spread as among numerous acts of courage in the wake of the terror attack.
Andy Reid, a fellow beach safety officer, says that Doolan, called “Jacko”, ran from Tamarama beach to support the remaining crew at Bondi, as well as to work with emergency personnel, police and ambulance crews treating numerous the injured.
Local Response and Support
Doolan’s account was just one of many to come out of the neighbourhood, with the lifeguard clubhouse next to the location of the attack becoming a makeshift treatment center. Accounts show that colleagues were also seen taking action, such as entering the surf to assist people who were struggling.
Following the events, comments of appreciation were shared. A social media message conveyed gratitude for the responders who demonstrated that “compassion will always conquer darkness”.
The squad of lifeguards published a statement, saying they were “still trying to comprehend what occurred”.
“Our thanks go out to all for your kind messages and support. We are overwhelmed by the kindness shown towards our responders,” the group commented. “In time, we will tell our tales in the hope that it aids those affected.”
Council Commendation
Waverley council, the local authority that hires many professional lifeguards, remarked that the staff rose to the occasion from the moment the violence started right into late that evening.
“People have shared so many moving accounts, but the viral picture of Jackson Doolan, racing from Tamarama to Bondi with a medical device so he could help assist the injured is extraordinary,” said a local official.
“The team demonstrate dedication every day in maintaining the safety of our world-famous shores secure for visitors, but what we observed on that evening should be celebrated.
“As we grieve and grapple with the horror of this brutal and barbaric act of violence, I think it is vital that we focus on just how much light we have witnessed in the face of such hatred.”
