As Beachgoers Escaped Attack, Popular Photo Shows Lifeguard Running ‘Full Speed’ Towards the Scene.

Alexandra Ching, a permanent local of Bondi, has always considered the renowned beach as her own backyard. On that fateful weekend evening, she, similar to other others in the area, noticed loud noises reverberating around the suburb.

“That was the initial assumption, but I thought it was too light and there was nothing visible,” Ching recounts. Exiting her home, she saw people “pouring up Bondi Road”. The faces they wore told her trouble had occurred.

As she stood on the avenue, speaking to a couple who had rushed up the slope in their swimwear, she noticed someone approaching at her rear. It was a beach patrol officer, sprinting towards Bondi barefoot from the nearby Tamarama beach – about 1.5km – while carrying a medical device.

“I heard someone say ‘excuse me’, and turning my head I just saw this streak in blue,” she recounts. “He was zooming past. It was just him moving in the path that the crowd was trying to flee, while holding that large equipment and barefoot … He moved into something that undoubtedly every part of you would signal you to move in the other direction.

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

A Symbol of Heroism In the Wake of Chaos

The photo Ching captured of the lifeguard, since identified as Jackson Doolan, rapidly circulated as among numerous instances of courage in the wake of the terror attack.

Andy Reid, another lifeguard, says that Doolan, called “Jacko”, ran from Tamarama beach to back up the rest of his team at Bondi, as well as to help other rescuers, police and ambulance crews attending to numerous the injured.

Community Outpouring and Solidarity

Doolan’s account was a single example among several to come out of the neighbourhood, with the patrol base next to the scene of the incident becoming a makeshift treatment center. Accounts show that fellow lifeguards were also seen taking action, for instance entering the ocean to rescue people needing help.

Following the tragedy, messages of gratitude flooded in. One post conveyed thanks for the responders who demonstrated that “kindness will always conquer evil”.

The group of lifeguards published a communication, noting they were “processing what transpired”.

“Our thanks go out to all for your supportive sentiments and support. We are deeply moved by the kindness shown towards our personnel,” the organization stated. “When ready, we will share our stories in the aim that it helps those affected.”

Official Praise

Waverley council, the local authority that employs many permanent lifeguards, said that the staff acted heroically from the instant the violence began right into late that evening.

“There have been so many moving narratives, but the popular photo of Jackson Doolan, running from Tamarama to Bondi with a defibrillator so he could help save lives is extraordinary,” stated a local official.

“Our lifeguards show altruism every day in keeping our internationally renowned beaches secure for surfers and swimmers, but what we witnessed on that evening should be highly praised.

“While we mourn and process the horror of this violent and horrific terrorist attack, I think it is crucial that we reflect on just how much good we have observed in the midst of such evil.”