While Sunbathers Escaped Violence, Popular Photo Captures Lifeguard Running ‘Pedal to the Metal’ To the Site.

Alexandra Ching, a permanent local of Bondi, views the iconic coast as her personal space. On that fateful weekend night, she, along with numerous others in the area, heard cracking sounds ringing out across the community.

“That was the initial assumption, but I considered it was too light and there was nothing visible,” Ching states. Stepping out of her apartment, she saw people “flooding up Bondi Road”. The faces on display signaled a crisis was unfolding.

While standing on the avenue, conversing with a couple who had rushed up the incline still dripping wet, she became aware of someone coming up from behind. This turned out to be a rescuer, running at full speed towards Bondi barefoot from the neighbouring Tamarama beach – roughly 1.5km – while carrying a medical device.

“I noticed a person utter ‘excuse me’, and turning my head I spotted this streak in blue,” she recalls. “He was just flying past. He was alone heading in the direction that everyone was trying to escape from, while holding that sizeable pack and barefoot … He moved towards something that certainly every instinct would signal you to run in the reverse way.

“Just no hesitation, but just totally pedal to the metal running.”

A Symbol of Courage In the Wake of Tragedy

The photograph taken by Ching of the lifeguard, now known to be Jackson Doolan, quickly spread as a prime example of acts of valour in the aftermath of the violent incident.

Andy Reid, another lifeguard, noted that Doolan, known as “Jacko”, ran from Tamarama beach to back up the other members at Bondi, as well as to work with emergency personnel, police and ambulance crews attending to many the injured.

Local Response and Solidarity

Doolan’s story was a single example among several to come out of the community, with the beach facility beside the location of the attack transforming into a impromptu treatment center. Accounts show that colleagues were also seen responding bravely, for instance rushing into the water to rescue people who were struggling.

After the events, comments of gratitude circulated widely. A social media message expressed appreciation for the lifeguards who demonstrated that “kindness will always conquer darkness”.

The squad of lifeguards issued a message, explaining they were “processing what happened”.

“We are grateful all for your thoughtful messages and encouragement. We are touched by the kindness directed at our responders,” the organization commented. “When ready, we will tell our tales in the belief that it helps those affected.”

Local Government Recognition

Waverley council, the governing body that hires many permanent lifeguards, stated that the staff performed exceptionally from the moment the shooting began through to late that evening.

“People have shared so many powerful accounts, but the widely-circulated photo of Jackson Doolan, racing from Tamarama to Bondi with a AED so he could help preserve life is remarkable,” said a local official.

“The team demonstrate altruism every day in keeping our iconic coastlines secure for the public, but what we observed on Sunday should be highly praised.

“During this time of sorrow and process the atrocity of this heinous terrorist attack, I think it is vital that we focus on just how much good we have witnessed in the face of such evil.”