As Swimmers Fled Violence, Popular Image Captures Lifeguard Running ‘All Out’ In the Direction of the Site.

Alexandra Ching, someone who has spent her entire life as inhabitant of Bondi, describes the iconic beach as her own backyard. On that particular weekend evening, she, like many neighbors, detected loud noises ringing out across the suburb.

“We all thought the same, but I reasoned it was daylight and no one could see them,” she explains. She left her residence, she saw people “pouring up Bondi Road”. Their expressions they wore told her trouble had occurred.

While standing on the street, talking to a couple who had rushed up the incline still dripping wet, she became aware of someone moving up at her rear. The person was a rescuer, dashing towards Bondi without shoes from the nearby Tamarama beach – roughly 1.5km – while transporting a defibrillator.

“I noticed a person utter ‘excuse me’, and as I turned I spotted this blur of blue,” she recalls. “He was just flying past. It was just him heading in the direction that the crowd was trying to get away from, and hauling that sizeable pack and without footwear … He moved at something that certainly every part of you would signal you to go in the other direction.

“Without a second thought, but just totally pedal to the metal racing.”

A Powerful Moment of Courage Amidst Tragedy

The photo taken by Ching of the lifeguard, now known to be Jackson Doolan, was widely shared as a prime example of acts of courage in the aftermath of the terror attack.

Andy Reid, a second lifeguard, noted that Doolan, referred to as “Jacko”, ran from Tamarama beach to back up the other members at Bondi, as well as to work with surf lifesavers, officers and paramedics attending to many the injured.

Community Reaction and Assistance

Doolan’s account was part of a broader narrative to come out of the local area, with the lifeguard clubhouse beside the scene of the incident becoming a makeshift medical station. Accounts show that other team members were also seen responding bravely, such as going into the ocean to assist people who were struggling.

In the days after the tragedy, comments of gratitude circulated widely. One post shared thanks for the responders who demonstrated that “kindness will always triumph over evil”.

The team of beach patrol published a statement, noting they were “processing what happened”.

“We are grateful all for your kind messages and solidarity. We are touched by the care directed at our team,” the team stated. “Eventually, we will tell our tales in the belief that it helps those impacted.”

Official Praise

Waverley council, the local authority that employs many permanent lifeguards, stated that the team rose to the occasion from the second the shooting commenced until late that evening.

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

“The team show dedication every day in maintaining the safety of our iconic beaches protected for visitors, but what we observed on Sunday should be celebrated.

“As we grieve and process the horror of this violent and horrific terrorist attack, I think it is vital that we consider just how much good we have observed in the presence of such darkness.”