As Beachgoers Fled Attack, Popular Picture Depicts Beach Patrol Dashing ‘Pedal to the Metal’ In the Direction of the Location.

Alexandra Ching, a lifelong resident of Bondi, views the renowned beach as her personal space. On that particular weekend evening, she, along with numerous others in the area, detected pops reverberating through the neighbourhood.

“That was the initial assumption, but I thought it was still too bright and no one could see them,” Ching states. Exiting her home, she observed people “streaming up Bondi Road”. The looks she saw signaled something was wrong.

While standing on the avenue, speaking to a couple who had run up the hill still dripping wet, she heard someone coming up at her rear. The person was a beach patrol officer, sprinting to Bondi unshod from the nearby Tamarama beach – roughly 1.5km – while transporting a life-saving kit.

“I noticed a person utter ‘excuse me’, and when I spun around I just saw this blur of blue,” Ching describes. “He was zooming past. It was just him moving in the path that the crowd was trying to flee, carrying that big kit and unshod … He’s running towards something that surely every part of you would signal you to go in the other direction.

“Just no hesitation, but just fully pedal to the metal sprinting.”

A Symbol of Courage In the Wake of Chaos

The image Ching captured of the lifeguard, later named as Jackson Doolan, rapidly circulated as among numerous instances of heroism in the aftermath of the terror attack.

Andy Reid, a second lifeguard, says that Doolan, known as “Jacko”, sprinted from Tamarama beach to support the rest of his team at Bondi, as well as to work with emergency personnel, police and ambulance crews attending to numerous the injured.

Local Outpouring and Support

Doolan’s account was a single example among several to come out of the local area, with the patrol base next to the site of the violence serving as a impromptu medical station. Accounts show that fellow lifeguards were also seen helping out, such as entering the water to rescue people in distress.

After the attack, comments of support were shared. One post conveyed gratitude for the lifeguards who demonstrated that “kindness will always overcome hatred”.

The group of rescuers published a statement, noting they were “coming to terms with what transpired”.

“We are grateful all for your supportive sentiments and encouragement. We are deeply moved by the compassion directed at our personnel,” the team commented. “Eventually, we will share our stories in the hope that it supports those involved.”

Local Government Recognition

Waverley council, the local authority that employs many permanent beach safety officers, said that the team acted heroically from the moment the shooting started through to late that evening.

“There have been so many powerful stories, but the popular picture of Jackson Doolan, running from Tamarama to Bondi with a medical device so he could help save lives is incredible,” said a council representative.

“The team show altruism every day in ensuring our internationally renowned shores safe for the public, but what we witnessed on Sunday should be commended.

“As we grieve and come to terms with the atrocity of this violent and horrific tragedy, I think it is crucial that we consider just how much good we have witnessed in the face of such hatred.”