Bondi Beach rescuer pictured sprinting barefoot via avenue to assist victims of mass taking pictures
A lifeguard was pictured on Instagram sprinting barefoot through the street in response to the horrific attack while Bondi Beach rescuers took to social media to share messages of support
Bondi Beach rescuers have taken to social media following the mass shooting which left at least 16 people dead while 40 others are in hospital with injuries. One lifeguard was pictured sprinting barefoot through the street to help victims of the horrific attack.
Gunmen opened fire at a Jewish Hannukah party on the beach in the Sydney suburb, with a British Rabbi and a 10-year-old girl among those caught up in the attack, which police have declared a terrorist incident. Police said 40 other people, including four children, remain in hospital with injuries.
The suspects have been named as father and son Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24. Police shot Sajid dead at the scene, while Naveed was arrested by New South Wales Police.
Bondi Rescue veteran Jackson Doolan shared an update on social media, revealing he and his fellow lifeguards rushed to the scene and worked desperately to save shooting victims, reports the Mirror. Doolan thanked those who responded to the attack, alongside a photo of himself sprinting through the streets of Bondi in his lifeguard uniform.
Jackson wrote on his Instagram story: “Appreciate the messages. I’m safe, all the lifeguards are safe. Speechless… Well done to everyone involved in helping out.”
Andy Reid, another Bondi rescuer, wrote on Instagram: “7 PM yesterday in Bondi – Lifeguard: Jacko @jacksondoolan running over from Tamarama with medical equipment to back up Lifeguards, Clubbies, Police, Ambos and other everyday heroes who tried to save people during yesterday’s horrific attack.
“I can’t even begin to imagine what you all had to witness and deal with, but you are all the most incredible people. I’m grateful we live in a world where you exist to show that kindness will always conquer evil. Thank you.”
Meanwhile, a man who heroically tackled and disarmed one of the Bondi Beach gunmen has been identified as 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed, a Sydney local and father of two who owns a fruit shop in Sutherland. According to his cousin, Ahmed was shot twice during the extraordinary intervention. Speaking to 7News, his cousin Mustafa said Ahmed was being treated in hospital.
“He’s in hospital and we don’t know exactly what’ going on inside,” Mustafa said. “We do hope he will be fine. He’s a hero 100 per cent.” Ahmed was due to undergo surgery on the night of the incident. He reportedly has no experience with firearms and was simply walking past when he decided to intervene.
Footage shows Ahmed, wearing a white shirt, crouching behind a car in a carpark metres away from one of the shooters. During a pause between shots, he runs through the parked cars and grabs the gunman in a headlock from behind.
After a violent struggle lasting about five seconds, Ahmed is able to wrestle the shotgun from the attacker, who falls backwards. Ahmed then points the weapon at the shooter as the man retreats towards a bridge, repeatedly looking over his shoulder.
New footage shows Ahmed later sitting on the ground while bystanders attend to what appears to be a leg injury. In the clip, posted to Instagram by @crazynewsinsydney, the caption states that the “man was injured but his courage gave others time to escape”.
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