As Swimmers Fled Danger, Viral Photo Shows Rescuer Dashing ‘Pedal to the Metal’ Towards the Location.

Alexandra Ching, a lifelong local of Bondi, has always considered the famous coast as her back yard. On a recent Sunday evening, she, like many local residents, noticed pops reverberating across the neighbourhood.

“We all thought the same, but I reasoned it was too light and you couldn't spot any lights,” Ching states. She left her residence, she witnessed people “flooding up Bondi Road”. Their expressions on display signaled trouble had occurred.

Positioned on the avenue, conversing with a couple who had hurried up the slope in their swimwear, she noticed someone moving up at her rear. This turned out to be a lifeguard, dashing in the direction of Bondi without shoes from the adjacent Tamarama beach – a distance of 1.5km – while carrying a life-saving kit.

“I heard someone say ‘excuse me’, and as I turned I spotted this blur of blue,” she recounts. “He was simply racing by. He was the only one running in the direction that all the others was trying to escape from, carrying that large equipment and unshod … He was sprinting into something that undoubtedly every fibre in your being would instruct you to move in the other direction.

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

A Powerful Moment of Heroism During Tragedy

The image that Ching snapped of the lifeguard, now known to be Jackson Doolan, was widely shared as a prime example of acts of courage in the following of the tragic event.

Andy Reid, a second lifeguard, says that Doolan, called “Jacko”, ran from Tamarama beach to support the rest of his team at Bondi, as well as to work with emergency personnel, law enforcement and paramedics caring for dozens of victims.

Local Response and Support

Doolan’s account was part of a broader narrative to come out of the neighbourhood, with the beach facility adjacent to the site of the attack serving as a temporary treatment center. Accounts show that colleagues were also seen helping out, such as rushing into the water to assist people who were struggling.

After the tragedy, statements of support were shared. An online statement shared appreciation for the individuals who exhibited that “kindness will always triumph over hatred”.

The team of rescuers later shared a communication, saying they were “processing what happened”.

“Thank you all for your thoughtful sentiments and support. We are deeply moved by the kindness for our responders,” the team stated. “When ready, we will recount our experiences in the hope that it aids those involved.”

Council Recognition

Waverley council, the administrative organization that hires many professional lifeguards, said that the staff rose to the occasion from the moment the shooting commenced through to late that evening.

“We have heard so many moving narratives, but the popular image of Jackson Doolan, sprinting from Tamarama to Bondi with a medical device so he could help assist the injured is remarkable,” stated a mayor.

“Our lifeguards show selflessness every day in maintaining the safety of our world-famous beaches safe for surfers and swimmers, but what we saw on that day should be celebrated.

“As we grieve and process the horror of this violent and horrific terrorist attack, I think it is crucial that we focus on just how much good we have observed in the presence of such darkness.”