While Beachgoers Ran From Violence, Widely-Shared Image Captures Lifeguard Running ‘Pedal to the Metal’ To the Scene.
Alexandra Ching, someone who has spent her entire life as resident of Bondi, has always considered the renowned coast as her back yard. On that particular weekend night, she, similar to other neighbors, noticed loud noises echoing through the suburb.
“Everyone did, but I reasoned it was still too bright and there was nothing visible,” Ching recounts. She left her residence, she observed people “streaming up Bondi Road”. Their expressions she saw told her a crisis was unfolding.
While standing on the avenue, conversing with a couple who had rushed up the slope in their swimwear, she became aware of someone approaching at her rear. This turned out to be a lifeguard, running at full speed to Bondi without shoes from the adjacent Tamarama beach – roughly 1.5km – while carrying a medical device.
“I caught a voice saying ‘excuse me’, and when I spun around I just saw this flash of blue,” she recalls. “He was just flying past. He was alone running in the opposite way that the crowd was trying to get away from, while holding that large equipment and unshod … He was sprinting into something that certainly every instinct would tell you to go in the reverse way.
“Without a second thought, but just completely pedal to the metal sprinting.”
A Symbol of Bravery Amidst Tragedy
The image taken by Ching of the lifeguard, now known to be Jackson Doolan, quickly spread as among numerous moments of valour in the wake of the tragic event.
Andy Reid, another lifeguard, explained that Doolan, referred to as “Jacko”, sprinted from Tamarama beach to assist the other members at Bondi, as well as to work with surf lifesavers, law enforcement and medical teams treating numerous victims.
Collective Outpouring and Support
Doolan’s account was just one of many to come out of the neighbourhood, with the lifeguard clubhouse adjacent to the site of the attack becoming a makeshift medical station. Reports indicate that colleagues were also seen responding bravely, including going into the surf to save people in distress.
Following the tragedy, comments of appreciation flooded in. One post shared appreciation for the lifeguards who exhibited that “goodness will always conquer hatred”.
The squad of beach patrol published a statement, saying 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 organization commented. “In time, we will share our stories in the aim that it aids those involved.”
Local Government Commendation
Waverley council, the governing body that employs many professional lifeguards, stated that the staff rose to the occasion from the moment the shooting began through to late that nighttime.
“There have been so many moving narratives, but the viral image of Jackson Doolan, running from Tamarama to Bondi with a AED so he could help save lives is incredible,” said a local official.
“These individuals exhibit altruism every day in maintaining the safety of our internationally renowned beaches protected for surfers and swimmers, but what we observed on that day should be highly praised.
“As we grieve and process the terror of this heinous act of violence, I think it is important that we reflect on just how much positivity we have witnessed in the face of such darkness.”