When Beachgoers Escaped Violence, Viral Photo Captures Rescuer Dashing ‘All Out’ To the Scene.

Alexandra Ching, someone who has spent her entire life as local of Bondi, views the renowned coast as her personal space. On that fateful weekend night, she, similar to other others in the area, detected pops echoing through the neighbourhood.

“Everyone did, but I thought it was too light and you couldn't spot any lights,” Ching recounts. She left her residence, she saw people “pouring up Bondi Road”. The looks she saw made it clear a crisis was unfolding.

As she stood on the road, talking to a pair who had rushed up the slope soaked, she noticed someone moving up from behind. It was a rescuer, running at full speed towards Bondi barefoot from the nearby Tamarama beach – roughly 1.5km – while carrying a medical device.

“I caught a voice saying ‘excuse me’, and turning my head I only caught a glimpse of this flash of blue,” she recalls. “He was simply racing by. He was alone running in the opposite way that all the others was trying to escape from, carrying that sizeable pack and without footwear … He was sprinting towards something that undoubtedly every part of you would instruct you to run in the opposite direction.

“Without a second thought, but just completely full throttle racing.”

An Iconic Image of Bravery During Crisis

The photo taken by Ching of the rescuer, now known to be Jackson Doolan, quickly spread as one of many acts of valour in the aftermath of the tragic event.

Andy Reid, a fellow lifeguard, explained that Doolan, known as “Jacko”, sprinted from Tamarama beach to back up the other members at Bondi, as well as to work with emergency personnel, law enforcement and ambulance crews caring for numerous victims.

Local Outpouring and Support

Doolan’s story was just one of many to come out of the neighbourhood, with the lifeguard clubhouse beside the scene of the violence transforming into a makeshift treatment center. It was shared that fellow lifeguards were also seen responding bravely, for instance entering the ocean to rescue people needing help.

In the days after the attack, comments of appreciation circulated widely. An online statement expressed gratitude for the lifeguards who showed that “compassion will always triumph over evil”.

The group of lifeguards published a communication, saying they were “processing what happened”.

“Our thanks go out to all for your kind sentiments and encouragement. We are touched by the kindness for our team,” the team commented. “In time, we will share our stories in the belief that it aids those affected.”

Council Recognition

Waverley council, the local authority that hires many professional lifeguards, said that the team rose to the occasion from the instant the incident began through to late that evening.

“People have shared so many moving narratives, but the viral image of Jackson Doolan, running from Tamarama to Bondi with a defibrillator so he could help preserve life is extraordinary,” stated a local official.

“These individuals exhibit selflessness every day in keeping our iconic beaches secure for surfers and swimmers, but what we saw on that day should be celebrated.

“While we mourn and process the terror of this brutal and barbaric act of violence, I think it is important that we reflect on just how much good we have seen in the midst of such darkness.”