As Sunbathers Escaped Danger, Widely-Shared Photo Shows Lifeguard Dashing ‘Full Speed’ Towards the Scene.

Alexandra Ching, a lifelong local of Bondi, describes the iconic beach as her back yard. On that fateful weekend night, she, along with numerous local residents, detected cracking sounds ringing out around the neighbourhood.

“Everyone did, but I considered it was daylight and no one could see them,” she explains. Stepping out of her residence, she observed people “flooding up Bondi Road”. The faces she saw told her a crisis was unfolding.

While standing on the street, speaking to a pair who had rushed up the hill soaked, she heard someone moving up from behind. It was a beach patrol officer, sprinting in the direction of Bondi without shoes from the neighbouring Tamarama beach – about 1.5km – while holding a defibrillator.

“I noticed a person utter ‘excuse me’, and turning my head I spotted this streak in blue,” she recounts. “He was simply racing by. He was the only one moving in the direction that the crowd was trying to flee, and hauling that large equipment and barefoot … He moved into something that surely every instinct would instruct you to move in the other direction.

“Without a second thought, but just fully full throttle racing.”

An Iconic Image of Courage During Crisis

The image taken by Ching of the rescuer, since identified as Jackson Doolan, rapidly circulated as among numerous moments of valour in the following of the terror attack.

Andy Reid, a second beach safety officer, says that Doolan, called “Jacko”, hurried from Tamarama beach to back up the other members at Bondi, as well as to aid surf lifesavers, police and paramedics attending to numerous the injured.

Local Reaction and Assistance

Doolan’s account was part of a broader narrative to emerge from the local area, with the beach facility beside the scene of the attack serving as a makeshift treatment center. It was shared that other team members were also seen taking action, for instance going into the water to assist people in distress.

After the events, statements of gratitude were shared. An online statement expressed thanks for the lifeguards who demonstrated that “goodness will always overcome darkness”.

The team of beach patrol later shared a message, noting they were “still trying to comprehend what happened”.

“Thank you all for your supportive words and encouragement. We are overwhelmed by the kindness for our personnel,” the team commented. “When ready, we will share our stories in the belief that it helps those involved.”

Local Government Praise

Waverley council, the governing body that oversees many professional lifeguards, said that the staff acted heroically from the instant the shooting commenced until late that night.

“We have heard so many emotional narratives, but the viral picture of Jackson Doolan, running from Tamarama to Bondi with a defibrillator so he could help assist the injured is extraordinary,” said a mayor.

“The team demonstrate dedication every day in maintaining the safety of our internationally renowned coastlines secure for visitors, but what we saw on Sunday should be commended.

“While we mourn and grapple with the atrocity of this violent and horrific terrorist attack, I think it is important that we focus on just how much light we have witnessed in the midst of such hatred.”