When Swimmers Fled Danger, Popular Image Captures Lifeguard Running ‘Full Speed’ To the Scene.

Alexandra Ching, a lifelong resident of Bondi, views the iconic coast as her own backyard. On that fateful weekend night, she, like many local residents, detected cracking sounds ringing out around the neighbourhood.

“We all thought the same, but I thought it was still too bright and no one could see them,” Ching recounts. Stepping out of her residence, she observed people “flooding up Bondi Road”. The looks they wore signaled something was wrong.

As she stood on the street, conversing with a duo who had hurried up the hill soaked, she heard someone approaching behind her. It was a rescuer, dashing to Bondi without shoes from the adjacent Tamarama beach – about 1.5km – while carrying a medical device.

“I caught a voice saying ‘excuse me’, and turning my head I just saw this flash of blue,” she recounts. “He was zooming past. He was alone heading in the direction that everyone was trying to escape from, carrying that large equipment and without footwear … He was sprinting towards something that certainly every part of you would signal you to run in the opposite direction.

“Absolutely no pause, but just completely pedal to the metal running.”

An Iconic Image of Bravery In the Wake of Crisis

The image that Ching snapped of the lifeguard, since identified as Jackson Doolan, rapidly circulated as one of many moments of heroism in the wake of the tragic event.

Andy Reid, a second lifeguard, says that Doolan, called “Jacko”, ran from Tamarama beach to back up the rest of his team at Bondi, as well as to help emergency personnel, officers and medical teams attending to dozens of the injured.

Community Response and Assistance

Doolan’s story was a single example among several to be shared by the community, with the lifeguard clubhouse beside the location of the violence becoming a impromptu treatment center. Accounts show that fellow lifeguards were also seen responding bravely, such as going into the water to save people who were struggling.

In the days after the tragedy, messages of gratitude circulated widely. A social media message shared gratitude for the individuals who demonstrated that “kindness will always overcome hatred”.

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

“We are grateful all for your thoughtful words and solidarity. We are overwhelmed by the care shown towards our personnel,” the group commented. “When ready, we will recount our experiences in the aim that it aids those impacted.”

Council Praise

Waverley council, the governing body that employs many full-time beach safety officers, said that the team performed exceptionally from the moment the shooting commenced right into late that nighttime.

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

“The team show altruism every day in ensuring our world-famous shores safe for visitors, but what we observed on Sunday should be celebrated.

“During this time of sorrow and come to terms with the terror of this violent and horrific act of violence, I think it is important that we consider just how much good we have seen in the presence of such darkness.”