When Swimmers Escaped Violence, Popular Image Depicts Rescuer Sprinting ‘Full Speed’ Towards the Site.

Alexandra Ching, a lifelong inhabitant of Bondi, describes the renowned coast as her own backyard. On that particular weekend night, she, along with numerous local residents, heard pops reverberating around the suburb.

“We all thought the same, but I considered it was still too bright and you couldn't spot any lights,” she explains. Exiting her residence, she witnessed people “streaming up Bondi Road”. The looks on display told her trouble had occurred.

As she stood on the road, conversing with a duo who had hurried up the slope still dripping wet, she became aware of someone moving up at her rear. The person was a lifeguard, dashing in the direction of Bondi barefoot from the nearby Tamarama beach – a distance of 1.5km – while transporting a defibrillator.

“I noticed a person utter ‘excuse me’, and as I turned I only caught a glimpse of this flash of blue,” she recounts. “He was zooming past. He was alone heading in the path that everyone was trying to get away from, carrying that large equipment and unshod … He was sprinting at something that surely every part of you would signal you to move in the other direction.

“Absolutely no pause, but just completely maximum effort running.”

A Powerful Moment of Heroism In the Wake of Chaos

The image taken by Ching of the lifeguard, now known to be Jackson Doolan, quickly spread as one of many instances of courage in the following of the terror attack.

Andy Reid, a second lifeguard, says that Doolan, known as “Jacko”, sprinted from Tamarama beach to support the other members at Bondi, as well as to work with other rescuers, law enforcement and medical teams attending to numerous victims.

Community Response and Assistance

Doolan’s account was just one of many to come out of the local area, with the beach facility next to the site of the violence serving as a impromptu hospital. Accounts show that other team members were also seen responding bravely, such as entering the ocean to save people in distress.

Following the events, messages of support circulated widely. One post conveyed gratitude for the individuals who demonstrated that “goodness will always conquer hatred”.

The group of lifeguards published a message, noting they were “coming to terms with what transpired”.

“We are grateful all for your supportive sentiments and encouragement. We are overwhelmed by the kindness directed at our responders,” the organization wrote. “In time, we will recount our experiences in the hope that it supports those involved.”

Official Recognition

Waverley council, the administrative organization that employs many full-time beach safety officers, stated that the crew rose to the occasion from the second the violence commenced through to late that nighttime.

“We have heard so many moving accounts, but the widely-circulated photo of Jackson Doolan, racing from Tamarama to Bondi with a defibrillator so he could help save lives is remarkable,” commented a council representative.

“The team show selflessness every day in maintaining the safety of our internationally renowned beaches protected for surfers and swimmers, but what we observed on that day should be commended.

“As we grieve and process the horror of this heinous tragedy, I think it is vital that we reflect on just how much light we have seen in the midst of such evil.”