As Sunbathers Escaped Danger, Popular Picture Captures Beach Patrol Running ‘Pedal to the Metal’ Towards the Site.

Alexandra Ching, someone who has spent her entire life as inhabitant of Bondi, describes the iconic shoreline as her back yard. On a recent Sunday evening, she, like many local residents, detected pops reverberating around the neighbourhood.

“That was the initial assumption, but I reasoned it was still too bright and you couldn't spot any lights,” Ching states. Exiting her home, she witnessed people “pouring up Bondi Road”. The faces they wore made it clear something was wrong.

Positioned on the avenue, conversing with a couple who had hurried up the slope still dripping wet, she noticed someone coming up from behind. It was a rescuer, sprinting towards Bondi unshod from the neighbouring Tamarama beach – roughly 1.5km – while holding a medical device.

“I heard someone say ‘excuse me’, and as I turned I only caught a glimpse of this blur of blue,” she recalls. “He was simply racing by. He was alone running in the path that the crowd was trying to get away from, carrying that big kit and barefoot … He moved at something that certainly every part of you would signal you to run in the other direction.

“Just no hesitation, but just totally full throttle racing.”

A Symbol of Courage During Chaos

The image that Ching snapped of the rescuer, since identified as Jackson Doolan, was widely shared as one of many acts of valour in the following of the terror attack.

Andy Reid, another beach safety officer, says that Doolan, known as “Jacko”, sprinted from Tamarama beach to support the rest of his team at Bondi, as well as to work with emergency personnel, law enforcement and ambulance crews treating dozens of the injured.

Collective Response and Support

Doolan’s actions was just one of many to come out of the neighbourhood, with the beach facility next to the location of the violence serving as a temporary treatment center. Reports indicate that colleagues were also seen taking action, for instance rushing into the water to assist people who were struggling.

After the events, statements of gratitude were shared. An online statement shared appreciation for the lifeguards who exhibited that “kindness will always triumph over evil”.

The squad of rescuers published a message, noting they were “processing what happened”.

“Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement. We are touched by the kindness directed at our responders,” the group stated. “Eventually, we will tell our tales in the aim that it aids those impacted.”

Council Praise

Waverley council, the local authority that employs many full-time lifeguards, remarked that the staff rose to the occasion from the moment the violence commenced through to late that evening.

“People have shared so many powerful stories, but the viral photo of Jackson Doolan, running from Tamarama to Bondi with a AED so he could help preserve life is remarkable,” commented a council representative.

“The team demonstrate selflessness every day in ensuring our internationally renowned coastlines secure for surfers and swimmers, but what we observed on that evening should be celebrated.

“During this time of sorrow and grapple with the horror of this heinous tragedy, I think it is important that we consider just how much good we have seen in the presence of such darkness.”