When Sunbathers Fled Attack, Viral Photo Depicts Lifeguard Dashing ‘Pedal to the Metal’ In the Direction of the Location.

Alexandra Ching, a permanent local of Bondi, views the famous shoreline as her own backyard. On a recent weekend night, she, like many local residents, noticed pops echoing across the community.

“We all thought the same, but I reasoned it was too light and you couldn't spot any lights,” Ching states. She left her apartment, she observed people “pouring up Bondi Road”. Their expressions she saw told her a crisis was unfolding.

While standing on the avenue, conversing with a pair who had run up the incline soaked, she noticed someone approaching from behind. This turned out to be a beach patrol officer, dashing in the direction of Bondi unshod from the adjacent Tamarama beach – about 1.5km – while carrying a life-saving kit.

“I heard someone say ‘excuse me’, and turning my head I just saw this streak in blue,” she recounts. “He was zooming past. He was alone heading in the path that all the others was trying to flee, while holding that sizeable pack and barefoot … He moved at something that certainly every part of you would instruct you to move in the other direction.

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

A Powerful Moment of Bravery Amidst Tragedy

The image that Ching snapped of the lifeguard, now known to be Jackson Doolan, rapidly circulated as one of many instances of valour in the following of the violent incident.

Andy Reid, another lifeguard, noted that Doolan, called “Jacko”, ran from Tamarama beach to back up the other members at Bondi, as well as to work with other rescuers, officers and medical teams attending to numerous victims.

Collective Reaction and Solidarity

Doolan’s actions was just one of many to emerge from the neighbourhood, with the beach facility beside the scene of the violence serving as a impromptu treatment center. It was shared that fellow lifeguards were also seen taking action, such as rushing into the surf to rescue people who were struggling.

In the days after the events, statements of appreciation circulated widely. One post expressed gratitude for the lifeguards who exhibited that “goodness will always overcome darkness”.

The squad of beach patrol published a statement, explaining they were “still trying to comprehend what happened”.

“Thank you all for your thoughtful sentiments and encouragement. We are touched by the kindness shown towards our personnel,” the organization stated. “When ready, we will share our stories in the belief that it supports those involved.”

Local Government Praise

Waverley council, the local authority that oversees many full-time lifeguards, stated that the staff rose to the occasion from the moment the shooting started through to late that evening.

“People have shared so many emotional stories, but the popular photo of Jackson Doolan, running from Tamarama to Bondi with a medical device so he could help preserve life is extraordinary,” said a mayor.

“These individuals demonstrate altruism every day in ensuring our iconic coastlines protected for the public, but what we observed on that day should be highly praised.

“As we grieve and process the atrocity of this brutal and barbaric act of violence, I think it is important that we focus on just how much light we have observed in the face of such darkness.”