While Swimmers Fled Attack, Popular Picture Shows Rescuer Sprinting ‘Pedal to the Metal’ To the Location.
Alexandra Ching, a lifelong resident of Bondi, describes the famous beach as her personal space. On that particular weekend night, she, similar to other others in the area, detected loud noises echoing around the suburb.
“Everyone did, but I considered it was daylight and there was nothing visible,” Ching states. She left her apartment, she witnessed people “streaming up Bondi Road”. The faces they wore made it clear something was wrong.
While standing on the road, conversing with a couple who had run up the slope in their swimwear, she noticed someone moving up at her rear. It was a rescuer, dashing in the direction of Bondi unshod from the adjacent Tamarama beach – a distance of 1.5km – while holding a medical device.
“I noticed a person utter ‘excuse me’, and as I turned I just saw this blur of blue,” Ching describes. “He was just flying past. It was just him heading in the path that everyone was trying to escape from, and hauling that sizeable pack and barefoot … He’s running into something that surely every instinct would instruct you to go in the other direction.
“Absolutely no pause, but just fully maximum effort sprinting.”
A Powerful Moment of Bravery During Tragedy
The photograph Ching captured of the rescuer, now known to be Jackson Doolan, rapidly circulated as one of many moments of courage in the aftermath of the terror attack.
Andy Reid, another lifeguard, noted that Doolan, referred to as “Jacko”, ran from Tamarama beach to back up the other members at Bondi, as well as to aid surf lifesavers, police and paramedics treating dozens of those hurt.
Local Reaction and Assistance
Doolan’s story was part of a broader narrative to come out of the neighbourhood, with the lifeguard clubhouse next to the site of the attack serving as a temporary hospital. It was shared that colleagues were also seen responding bravely, such as rushing into the water to save people who were struggling.
In the days after the attack, comments of appreciation circulated widely. A social media message shared appreciation for the individuals who demonstrated that “goodness will always overcome hatred”.
The group of beach patrol published a statement, saying they were “still trying to comprehend what transpired”.
“Thank you all for your supportive sentiments and encouragement. We are deeply moved by the care directed at our team,” the group commented. “In time, we will share our stories in the hope that it supports those affected.”
Local Government Recognition
Waverley council, the governing body that oversees many full-time beach safety officers, said that the team acted heroically from the moment the incident began through to late that evening.
“People have shared so many moving narratives, but the popular picture of Jackson Doolan, sprinting from Tamarama to Bondi with a medical device so he could help preserve life is remarkable,” commented a mayor.
“Our lifeguards show dedication every day in maintaining the safety of our world-famous shores safe for the public, but what we saw on that day should be celebrated.
“As we grieve and grapple with the terror of this brutal and barbaric terrorist attack, I think it is crucial that we focus on just how much good we have witnessed in the face of such darkness.”
