As Beachgoers Escaped Attack, Popular Photo Depicts Lifeguard Dashing ‘Pedal to the Metal’ Towards the Scene.

Alexandra Ching, a lifelong resident of Bondi, views the renowned beach as her back yard. On that particular weekend evening, she, along with numerous local residents, heard pops echoing around the community.

“We all thought the same, but I reasoned it was daylight and no one could see them,” she explains. Stepping out of her residence, she observed people “pouring up Bondi Road”. Their expressions she saw told her a crisis was unfolding.

While standing on the avenue, speaking to a pair who had hurried up the slope in their swimwear, she heard someone approaching behind her. This turned out to be a lifeguard, sprinting in the direction of Bondi barefoot from the adjacent Tamarama beach – a distance of 1.5km – while carrying a life-saving kit.

“I noticed a person utter ‘excuse me’, and turning my head I spotted this flash of blue,” Ching describes. “He was simply racing by. He was the only one heading in the opposite way that the crowd was trying to escape from, and hauling that sizeable pack and barefoot … He moved towards something that surely every fibre in your being would instruct you to move in the opposite direction.

“Absolutely no pause, but just totally full throttle sprinting.”

An Iconic Image of Bravery In the Wake of Chaos

The photograph taken by Ching of the lifeguard, later named as Jackson Doolan, rapidly circulated as one of many moments of courage in the wake of the terror attack.

Andy Reid, a second lifeguard, explained that Doolan, referred to as “Jacko”, sprinted from Tamarama beach to back up the other members at Bondi, as well as to work with emergency personnel, police and ambulance crews treating numerous the injured.

Local Response and Solidarity

Doolan’s actions was just one of many to come out of the community, with the patrol base next to the scene of the incident transforming into a impromptu medical station. It was shared that fellow lifeguards were also seen responding bravely, such as rushing into the water to save people needing help.

Following the tragedy, messages of gratitude circulated widely. An online statement conveyed appreciation for the lifeguards who demonstrated that “kindness will always overcome evil”.

The team of rescuers issued a communication, saying they were “coming to terms with what transpired”.

“We are grateful all for your thoughtful words and solidarity. We are deeply moved by the compassion for our responders,” the organization stated. “When ready, we will tell our tales in the belief that it supports those impacted.”

Official Praise

Waverley council, the local authority that employs many full-time beach safety officers, said that the team acted heroically from the instant the shooting started through to late that night.

“People have shared so many moving accounts, but the widely-circulated photo of Jackson Doolan, racing from Tamarama to Bondi with a defibrillator so he could help assist the injured is remarkable,” stated a council representative.

“Our lifeguards exhibit dedication every day in ensuring our world-famous shores protected for surfers and swimmers, but what we saw on that day should be celebrated.

“During this time of sorrow and come to terms with the horror of this violent and horrific terrorist attack, I think it is vital that we reflect on just how much light we have seen in the midst of such darkness.”