When Swimmers Ran From Violence, Widely-Shared Picture Shows Beach Patrol Running ‘Full Speed’ To the Scene.

Alexandra Ching, someone who has spent her entire life as inhabitant of Bondi, has always considered the famous coast as her own backyard. On that fateful weekend night, she, like many others in the area, detected loud noises reverberating around the community.

“We all thought the same, but I thought it was still too bright and there was nothing visible,” she explains. She left her home, she witnessed people “pouring up Bondi Road”. The looks on display made it clear trouble had occurred.

As she stood on the road, conversing with a duo who had rushed up the hill still dripping wet, she heard someone approaching behind her. It was a beach patrol officer, running at full speed to Bondi without shoes from the adjacent Tamarama beach – a distance of 1.5km – while transporting a life-saving kit.

“I heard someone say ‘excuse me’, and turning my head I only caught a glimpse of this flash of blue,” Ching describes. “He was just flying past. He was alone running in the opposite way that everyone was trying to escape from, and hauling that big kit and barefoot … He was sprinting into something that undoubtedly every instinct would instruct you to move in the reverse way.

“Absolutely no pause, but just totally pedal to the metal sprinting.”

A Symbol of Courage Amidst Tragedy

The photograph that Ching snapped of the lifeguard, since identified as Jackson Doolan, was widely shared as among numerous moments of courage in the aftermath of the terror attack.

Andy Reid, another lifeguard, noted that Doolan, referred to as “Jacko”, sprinted from Tamarama beach to back up the remaining crew at Bondi, as well as to help other rescuers, police and ambulance crews caring for many victims.

Community Response and Support

Doolan’s account was part of a broader narrative to come out of the local area, with the patrol base next to the site of the violence serving as a makeshift treatment center. Accounts show that other team members were also seen helping out, such as entering the surf to save people needing help.

In the days after the attack, messages of support were shared. A social media message shared thanks for the individuals who demonstrated that “compassion will always overcome darkness”.

The squad of beach patrol later shared a communication, explaining they were “still trying to comprehend what occurred”.

“Our thanks go out to all for your kind messages and solidarity. We are deeply moved by the compassion for our team,” the group stated. “Eventually, we will recount our experiences in the hope that it aids those impacted.”

Council Recognition

Waverley council, the local authority that employs many permanent beach safety officers, remarked that the crew performed exceptionally from the second the incident commenced through to late that night.

“People have shared so many moving stories, but the viral image of Jackson Doolan, sprinting from Tamarama to Bondi with a medical device so he could help save lives is extraordinary,” stated a mayor.

“Our lifeguards show altruism every day in ensuring our world-famous beaches secure for visitors, but what we witnessed on that evening should be commended.

“During this time of sorrow and grapple with the atrocity of this violent and horrific tragedy, I think it is vital that we reflect on just how much positivity we have observed in the face of such evil.”