When Swimmers Ran From Danger, Viral Photo Depicts Lifeguard Dashing ‘All Out’ To the Site.

Alexandra Ching, a permanent local of Bondi, has always considered the renowned beach as her own backyard. On a recent weekend evening, she, similar to other others in the area, noticed pops reverberating through the neighbourhood.

“That was the initial assumption, but I reasoned it was still too bright and there was nothing visible,” Ching recounts. Stepping out of her residence, she observed people “streaming up Bondi Road”. The faces she saw told her something was wrong.

Positioned on the road, talking to a couple who had hurried up the slope soaked, she became aware of someone approaching from behind. This turned out to be a lifeguard, sprinting towards Bondi without shoes from the neighbouring Tamarama beach – roughly 1.5km – while transporting a life-saving kit.

“I heard someone say ‘excuse me’, and as I turned I just saw this flash of blue,” Ching describes. “He was just flying past. He was alone moving in the direction that everyone was trying to escape from, carrying that sizeable pack and unshod … He’s running into something that undoubtedly every fibre in your being would signal you to move in the reverse way.

“Absolutely no pause, but just completely full throttle running.”

A Powerful Moment of Courage In the Wake of Tragedy

The image Ching captured of the lifeguard, since identified as Jackson Doolan, was widely shared as one of many moments of valour in the aftermath of the violent incident.

Andy Reid, another beach safety officer, explained that Doolan, called “Jacko”, ran from Tamarama beach to back up the remaining crew at Bondi, as well as to help emergency personnel, law enforcement and paramedics caring for numerous those hurt.

Local Reaction and Support

Doolan’s account was part of a broader narrative to be shared by the local area, with the patrol base beside the site of the attack transforming into a impromptu medical station. It was shared that other team members were also seen helping out, such as entering the surf to save people in distress.

In the days after the events, comments of gratitude were shared. A social media message expressed gratitude for the responders who showed that “goodness will always triumph over hatred”.

The squad of lifeguards issued a communication, saying they were “coming to terms with what occurred”.

“Thank you all for your supportive words and encouragement. We are deeply moved by the compassion shown towards our personnel,” the team stated. “Eventually, we will share our stories in the belief that it aids those impacted.”

Council Praise

Waverley council, the local authority that employs many professional beach safety officers, stated that the team acted heroically from the instant the shooting began through to late that night.

“There have been so many powerful accounts, but the viral picture of Jackson Doolan, racing from Tamarama to Bondi with a AED so he could help preserve life is extraordinary,” said a mayor.

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

“During this time of sorrow and come to terms with the atrocity of this heinous terrorist attack, I think it is vital that we reflect on just how much light we have seen in the face of such evil.”