As Swimmers Fled Violence, Widely-Shared Image Captures Beach Patrol Dashing ‘Pedal to the Metal’ Towards the Site.
Alexandra Ching, a lifelong resident of Bondi, has always considered the iconic coast as her own backyard. On that fateful weekend evening, she, like many neighbors, heard loud noises ringing out across the community.
“Everyone did, but I reasoned it was too light and there was nothing visible,” Ching states. Exiting her home, she observed people “streaming up Bondi Road”. The looks she saw made it clear a crisis was unfolding.
Positioned on the street, conversing with a duo who had run up the incline soaked, she heard someone coming up from behind. This turned out to be a beach patrol officer, dashing in the direction of Bondi without shoes from the nearby Tamarama beach – roughly 1.5km – while transporting a life-saving kit.
“I heard someone say ‘excuse me’, and when I spun around I spotted this streak in blue,” she recounts. “He was just flying past. He was alone running in the path that all the others was trying to escape from, carrying that sizeable pack and barefoot … He moved towards something that undoubtedly every fibre in your being would instruct you to move in the opposite direction.
“Absolutely no pause, but just completely maximum effort racing.”
A Symbol of Heroism During Tragedy
The image taken by Ching of the rescuer, now known to be Jackson Doolan, rapidly circulated as among numerous moments of valour in the aftermath of the terror attack.
Andy Reid, a fellow beach safety officer, explained that Doolan, called “Jacko”, sprinted from Tamarama beach to assist the other members at Bondi, as well as to work with surf lifesavers, police and paramedics caring for many the injured.
Collective Outpouring and Solidarity
Doolan’s actions was just one of many to emerge from the neighbourhood, with the beach facility beside the scene of the attack transforming into a makeshift medical station. Accounts show that colleagues were also seen helping out, for instance entering the water to rescue people who were struggling.
Following the tragedy, statements of appreciation circulated widely. One post conveyed gratitude for the individuals who showed that “compassion will always triumph over evil”.
The team of lifeguards issued a message, explaining they were “coming to terms with what transpired”.
“Thank you all for your kind messages and solidarity. We are overwhelmed by the kindness shown towards our team,” the organization stated. “In time, we will recount our experiences in the hope that it supports those affected.”
Local Government Recognition
Waverley council, the governing body that employs many professional beach safety officers, stated that the team acted heroically from the moment the incident commenced until late that night.
“There have been so many emotional accounts, but the viral picture of Jackson Doolan, running from Tamarama to Bondi with a AED so he could help save lives is incredible,” said a mayor.
“Our lifeguards exhibit altruism every day in keeping our internationally renowned coastlines safe for the public, but what we observed on that day should be celebrated.
“As we grieve and grapple with the terror of this violent and horrific act of violence, I think it is crucial that we focus on just how much light we have observed in the midst of such evil.”
