As Sunbathers Escaped Danger, Popular Image Shows Lifeguard Sprinting ‘Full Speed’ To the Site.
Alexandra Ching, someone who has spent her entire life as inhabitant of Bondi, describes the iconic shoreline as her personal space. On that fateful weekend evening, she, like many others in the area, detected loud noises ringing out through the neighbourhood.
“We all thought the same, but I reasoned it was daylight and no one could see them,” Ching recounts. Stepping out of her home, she saw people “streaming up Bondi Road”. Their expressions on display told her something was wrong.
As she stood on the street, talking to a couple who had hurried up the hill soaked, she became aware of someone moving up from behind. It was a lifeguard, dashing towards Bondi without shoes from the neighbouring Tamarama beach – roughly 1.5km – while transporting a medical device.
“I caught a voice saying ‘excuse me’, and when I spun around I spotted this flash of blue,” Ching describes. “He was simply racing by. It was just him running in the path that the crowd was trying to flee, while holding that sizeable pack and barefoot … He moved towards something that undoubtedly every fibre in your being would instruct you to move in the other direction.
“Just no hesitation, but just completely full throttle running.”
An Iconic Image of Heroism Amidst Tragedy
The photograph Ching captured of the lifeguard, since identified as Jackson Doolan, rapidly circulated as a prime example of moments of valour in the aftermath of the tragic event.
Andy Reid, a second beach safety officer, explained that Doolan, known as “Jacko”, hurried from Tamarama beach to back up the other members at Bondi, as well as to help other rescuers, law enforcement and ambulance crews caring for many those hurt.
Local Response and Support
Doolan’s actions was a single example among several to emerge from the neighbourhood, with the lifeguard clubhouse beside the site of the attack transforming into a temporary hospital. It was shared that colleagues were also seen taking action, including going into the ocean to save people needing help.
After the attack, messages of support circulated widely. A social media message expressed gratitude for the individuals who exhibited that “goodness will always conquer darkness”.
The squad of beach patrol later shared a message, saying they were “still trying to comprehend what happened”.
“Thank you all for your supportive messages and encouragement. We are deeply moved by the care shown towards our team,” the team wrote. “Eventually, we will recount our experiences in the hope that it supports those involved.”
Council Recognition
Waverley council, the local authority that employs many permanent beach safety officers, said that the crew performed exceptionally from the moment the shooting started through to late that nighttime.
“There have been so many powerful accounts, but the widely-circulated photo of Jackson Doolan, sprinting from Tamarama to Bondi with a AED so he could help assist the injured is remarkable,” stated a mayor.
“Our lifeguards exhibit selflessness every day in ensuring our world-famous coastlines safe for visitors, but what we observed on that day should be highly praised.
“During this time of sorrow and grapple with the terror of this brutal and barbaric terrorist attack, I think it is important that we consider just how much light we have witnessed in the face of such darkness.”