When Swimmers Fled Violence, Widely-Shared Photo Depicts Beach Patrol Running ‘Full Speed’ To the Scene.
Alexandra Ching, a permanent inhabitant of Bondi, has always considered the renowned coast as her personal space. On that fateful weekend night, she, along with numerous local residents, detected cracking sounds reverberating through the community.
“Everyone did, but I reasoned it was too light and no one could see them,” Ching states. Exiting her home, she saw people “flooding up Bondi Road”. The faces on display signaled trouble had occurred.
Positioned on the road, conversing with a pair who had hurried up the incline soaked, she heard someone coming up from behind. It was a beach patrol officer, dashing towards Bondi without shoes from the nearby Tamarama beach – roughly 1.5km – while holding a defibrillator.
“I caught a voice saying ‘excuse me’, and turning my head I spotted this streak in blue,” Ching describes. “He was zooming past. He was alone heading in the opposite way that the crowd was trying to flee, carrying that large equipment and unshod … He’s running into something that certainly every fibre in your being would signal you to move in the other direction.
“Absolutely no pause, but just totally pedal to the metal running.”
A Symbol of Courage During Tragedy
The photograph that Ching snapped of the rescuer, now known to be Jackson Doolan, quickly spread as a prime example of moments of valour in the wake of the tragic event.
Andy Reid, a second beach safety officer, says that Doolan, called “Jacko”, ran from Tamarama beach to back up the other members at Bondi, as well as to work with surf lifesavers, police and medical teams caring for numerous victims.
Local Outpouring and Assistance
Doolan’s account was just one of many to be shared by the local area, with the beach facility next to the location of the attack becoming a temporary hospital. Accounts show that other team members were also seen taking action, such as entering the surf to assist people needing help.
Following the attack, comments of gratitude flooded in. A social media message expressed appreciation for the individuals who demonstrated that “goodness will always overcome evil”.
The group of beach patrol published a communication, noting they were “coming to terms with what transpired”.
“Thank you all for your kind sentiments and solidarity. We are overwhelmed by the kindness shown towards our personnel,” the group stated. “When ready, we will tell our tales in the belief that it supports those impacted.”
Local Government Praise
Waverley council, the local authority that hires many permanent beach safety officers, stated that the staff performed exceptionally from the second the shooting began until late that evening.
“There have been so many powerful narratives, but the viral picture of Jackson Doolan, sprinting from Tamarama to Bondi with a AED so he could help assist the injured is incredible,” stated a council representative.
“These individuals demonstrate selflessness every day in keeping our world-famous beaches secure for visitors, but what we saw on that day should be highly praised.
“During this time of sorrow and grapple with the horror of this heinous tragedy, I think it is crucial that we reflect on just how much light we have seen in the presence of such darkness.”
