When Swimmers Ran From Danger, Widely-Shared Image Depicts Lifeguard Sprinting ‘All Out’ To the Site.

Alexandra Ching, a lifelong resident of Bondi, has always considered the iconic coast as her back yard. On that fateful weekend night, she, similar to other local residents, heard pops echoing across the neighbourhood.

“We all thought the same, but I considered it was still too bright and no one could see them,” Ching states. She left her apartment, she witnessed people “flooding up Bondi Road”. The looks they wore signaled a crisis was unfolding.

While standing on the street, conversing with a duo who had rushed up the slope soaked, she heard someone moving up from behind. The person was a beach patrol officer, sprinting towards Bondi without shoes from the neighbouring Tamarama beach – about 1.5km – while holding a life-saving kit.

“I noticed a person utter ‘excuse me’, and as I turned I only caught a glimpse of this blur of blue,” she recounts. “He was simply racing by. He was the only one heading in the opposite way that all the others was trying to flee, while holding that big kit and unshod … He’s running into something that certainly every part of you would tell you to run in the opposite direction.

“Without a second thought, but just completely pedal to the metal racing.”

A Powerful Moment of Bravery In the Wake of Tragedy

The photo taken by Ching of the lifeguard, later named as Jackson Doolan, rapidly circulated as a prime example of acts of heroism in the aftermath of the violent incident.

Andy Reid, another beach safety officer, says that Doolan, called “Jacko”, hurried from Tamarama beach to assist the rest of his team at Bondi, as well as to help other rescuers, officers and medical teams treating many victims.

Collective Outpouring and Solidarity

Doolan’s account was part of a broader narrative to come out of the local area, with the beach facility next to the site of the violence transforming into a temporary treatment center. It was shared that colleagues were also seen helping out, such as going into the surf to rescue people in distress.

After the attack, statements of appreciation flooded in. One post shared appreciation for the lifeguards who exhibited that “compassion will always triumph over hatred”.

The team of rescuers published a message, saying they were “still trying to comprehend what happened”.

“Our thanks go out to all for your kind sentiments and support. We are overwhelmed by the compassion shown towards our team,” the organization commented. “When ready, we will tell our tales in the aim that it helps those affected.”

Official Recognition

Waverley council, the governing body that employs many permanent lifeguards, remarked that the staff performed exceptionally from the moment the shooting commenced through to late that night.

“We have heard so many emotional stories, but the widely-circulated image of Jackson Doolan, racing from Tamarama to Bondi with a AED so he could help save lives is extraordinary,” stated a council representative.

“These individuals show altruism every day in keeping our world-famous coastlines safe for visitors, but what we saw on that day should be celebrated.

“While we mourn and come to terms with the terror of this violent and horrific tragedy, I think it is important that we focus on just how much good we have observed in the face of such hatred.”