As Beachgoers Fled Violence, Viral Image Shows Lifeguard Running ‘Full Speed’ In the Direction of the Site.

Alexandra Ching, someone who has spent her entire life as local of Bondi, has always considered the iconic shoreline as her personal space. On that particular weekend evening, she, along with numerous neighbors, noticed cracking sounds echoing across the suburb.

“Everyone did, but I thought it was daylight and there was nothing visible,” she explains. Exiting her apartment, she saw people “pouring up Bondi Road”. The faces she saw made it clear a crisis was unfolding.

As she stood on the road, speaking to a duo who had run up the slope soaked, she noticed someone moving up behind her. The person was a rescuer, running at full speed towards Bondi without shoes from the neighbouring Tamarama beach – a distance of 1.5km – while carrying a defibrillator.

“I heard someone say ‘excuse me’, and turning my head I just saw this streak in blue,” Ching describes. “He was simply racing by. He was the only one moving in the path that everyone was trying to get away from, while holding that big kit and barefoot … He moved at something that certainly every instinct would tell you to move in the reverse way.

“Without a second thought, but just totally full throttle sprinting.”

An Iconic Image of Courage In the Wake of Crisis

The photo Ching captured of the lifeguard, now known to be Jackson Doolan, quickly spread as one of many instances of courage in the wake of the terror attack.

Andy Reid, another lifeguard, explained that Doolan, referred to as “Jacko”, ran from Tamarama beach to back up the other members at Bondi, as well as to help emergency personnel, police and paramedics attending to many victims.

Community Reaction and Support

Doolan’s story was just one of many to come out of the neighbourhood, with the patrol base beside the site of the attack transforming into a makeshift hospital. Accounts show that other team members were also seen responding bravely, including going into the surf to assist people who were struggling.

In the days after the tragedy, comments of appreciation circulated widely. A social media message shared appreciation for the lifeguards who showed that “kindness will always conquer evil”.

The group of lifeguards published a communication, explaining they were “processing what transpired”.

“Our thanks go out to all for your thoughtful words and support. We are overwhelmed by the care shown towards our personnel,” the team stated. “When ready, we will tell our tales in the hope that it aids those involved.”

Council Praise

Waverley council, the governing body that hires many permanent lifeguards, remarked that the crew acted heroically from the second the incident commenced until late that nighttime.

“There have been so many powerful accounts, but the popular picture of Jackson Doolan, racing from Tamarama to Bondi with a medical device so he could help save lives is extraordinary,” said a mayor.

“These individuals demonstrate altruism every day in ensuring our world-famous coastlines safe for surfers and swimmers, but what we witnessed on that day should be celebrated.

“During this time of sorrow and come to terms with the atrocity of this heinous terrorist attack, I think it is vital that we focus on just how much light we have witnessed in the face of such darkness.”