When Sunbathers Ran From Danger, Widely-Shared Picture Shows Lifeguard Running ‘Pedal to the Metal’ In the Direction of the Location.

Alexandra Ching, a permanent local of Bondi, views the renowned shoreline as her back yard. On that particular weekend night, she, similar to other local residents, noticed pops echoing through the neighbourhood.

“That was the initial assumption, but I thought it was daylight and there was nothing visible,” Ching states. She left her residence, she witnessed people “flooding up Bondi Road”. The looks on display told her trouble had occurred.

Positioned on the street, speaking to a pair who had run up the slope still dripping wet, she heard someone approaching behind her. This turned out to be a lifeguard, dashing towards Bondi barefoot from the nearby Tamarama beach – a distance of 1.5km – while carrying a defibrillator.

“I heard someone say ‘excuse me’, and turning my head I spotted this flash of blue,” she recounts. “He was just flying past. He was the only one running in the opposite way that all the others was trying to flee, while holding that large equipment and unshod … He moved at something that surely every fibre in your being would instruct you to run in the opposite direction.

“Without a second thought, but just totally maximum effort racing.”

A Symbol of Bravery During Chaos

The photograph that Ching snapped of the lifeguard, since identified as Jackson Doolan, was widely shared as a prime example of moments of valour in the aftermath of the violent incident.

Andy Reid, a second lifeguard, says that Doolan, called “Jacko”, hurried from Tamarama beach to back up the other members at Bondi, as well as to aid other rescuers, officers and medical teams treating dozens of those hurt.

Community Response and Support

Doolan’s actions was a single example among several to emerge from the local area, with the lifeguard clubhouse beside the scene of the incident becoming a impromptu treatment center. Accounts show that other team members were also seen taking action, including rushing into the surf to rescue people in distress.

Following the events, comments of support circulated widely. An online statement expressed appreciation for the individuals who showed that “compassion will always conquer hatred”.

The team of lifeguards published a message, explaining they were “coming to terms with what transpired”.

“Thank you all for your thoughtful sentiments and encouragement. We are touched by the kindness for our team,” the group wrote. “Eventually, we will share our stories in the aim that it supports those impacted.”

Official Recognition

Waverley council, the local authority that hires many full-time lifeguards, remarked that the team acted heroically from the second the violence started through to late that evening.

“There have been so many moving stories, but the widely-circulated picture of Jackson Doolan, sprinting from Tamarama to Bondi with a AED so he could help assist the injured is incredible,” said a mayor.

“These individuals show altruism every day in maintaining the safety of our world-famous shores protected for surfers and swimmers, but what we witnessed on that evening should be celebrated.

“While we mourn and process the atrocity of this brutal and barbaric terrorist attack, I think it is important that we focus on just how much light we have witnessed in the presence of such darkness.”