Surf lifesavers lauded as ‘unsung heroes’ for running into active gunfire

2 months ago 13

Follow our live coverage of the Bondi shooting here.

Lifesavers and volunteer lifeguards are being lauded as the unsung heroes during the Bondi massacre, running straight into the line of fire to save those who had been shot, were drowning and a woman in labour.

Lifeguard and Bondi Rescue star Jackson Doolan was captured springing barefoot from Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club towards the Bondi terror attack, armed with medical supplies.

Jackson (Jacko) Doolan, a Tamarama lifeguard, running towards the scene with a first aid backpack and no shoes.

Footage shared by Doolan also showed lifesaver Rory Davey swimming into the sea amid active gunfire to save two people drowning.

In Australia, lifesavers are volunteer members of surf clubs, and lifeguards are professionals employed by councils.

Surf Lifesaving NSW chief executive Steven Pearce said workers also helped a woman who had gone into labour during the shooting, taking her inside the Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club. The woman was taken to hospital before giving birth.

“The team ran out under fire to try and clear the children from the playground, whilst the gunmen were firing. They were able to get the children inside,” he said.

“The other lifesavers started trying to do CPR on the shot victims and tried to drag as many inside as they could. At one stage, there were four people shot inside the building.”

Bondi Rescue lifeguard Anthony (Harries) Carrol said helping the community was in lifegaurds’ DNA.

There were around 30 lifesavers and volunteers on scene, thanks to a shift change at North Bondi and a Christmas party which was kicking off at Bondi Bathers.

Both clubs ran out of medical supplies and trauma kits, with hundreds of bandages applied as lifesavers triaged victims as they waited for ambulances. No volunteer lifeguards or lifesavers were injured, he said.

Chief executive of Surf Life Saving NSW Steve Pearce (right) with general manager Brent Manieri said lifeguards ran straight into gunfire.

“Obviously, they’re extremely traumatised,” Pearce said. Counselling was provided yesterday, with another group counselling session scheduled for this afternoon.

“They are the unsung heroes.”

Speaking with Nine News, volunteer lifeguard Trent Tur said he was on a break and went for a surf when he heard shots ring out.

He swam to shore, sheltering under his board before running to the playground, telling people to hide.

“There was blood everywhere … It was the worst feeling,” he said.

“We would always put our lives in danger to help other people.”

Bondi Rescue lifeguard Anthony (Harries) Carroll lauded the heroism of his colleagues. The TV star was in the city doing charity work when the massacre took place, but said he had received an outpouring of support from around the world.

“[There were] heroic acts of courage from everyone, from my mates in blue, through to the local volunteer life savers, through to the local community members, to do whatever they can to preserve human life down here,” he said.

Carrol, whose mother was born in Israel, said Sunday’s terror attack had been in the making for decades.

“This was a wound that’s been festering for such a long period of time now, and there hasn’t been enough done,” he said.

Carrol made strong remarks about protests and politics, saying Australia should look to the US for approaches to tackle antisemitism.