The families of two hero police officers shot during the Bondi Beach terror attack have received positive news just days before Christmas.
Constable Scott Dyson and Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert were both near-fatally wounded during the massacre that left 15 people dead on December 14.
But on Tuesday, police revealed that Constable Dyson has awoken from a coma and that Constable Hibbert has been discharged from hospital.
Constable Hibbert was one of several officers already at the beach when the shooting began.
He and his son had just left their car and were walking near Archer Park when the gunmen allegedly opened fire.
Constable Hibbert was pulling members of the public to safety when he was struck by a bullet, shrapnel tearing into the nerves behind his eye.
He was rushed to hospital in a critical condition, with the prospect of losing his eye.
‘Our family would like to share that Jack has now been discharged from hospital,’ the family’s statement read.
Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert has been released from hospital after he was shot in the head during the Bondi Beach attack
Constable Scott Dyson has woken from a medically induced coma
Constable Dyson has undergone multiple surgeries since the December 14 attack
‘While he is home, he is still recovering and will need space, support, and continued positive thoughts during this time.
‘As a family, we couldn’t ask for anything more – having our Jack home, especially for Christmas, truly feels like a miracle.’
Soon after news broke of Constable Hibbert’s recovery, the family of Constable Dyson revealed he had woken from a medically induced coma after undergoing surgery almost daily since the attack.
‘Our family would like to share that Scott has been getting stronger each day, and today (December 23), he was woken up for the first time,’ the family statement read.
‘There is still a long way to go in his recovery, but this is a positive sign.
‘We would like to thank the public for the support, messages and well wishes shown to Scott and our family during this difficult time. We are also grateful for the tireless work of his medical team.’
Constable Dyson was part of the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command for 18 months before he was shot in the attack.
Last week, his partner, fellow NSW Police officer Jessica Townsend said the couple were expecting a child.
‘On the evening of December 14, I truly believed I would never see Scott again after receiving news of his life threatening injuries sustained as a result of the actions of two (people) at the Bondi terror attack,’ Ms Townsend wrote.
The deadly attack at the iconic beach unfolded as hundreds of people gathered for the Chanukah by the Sea event just before 7pm on December 14.
Constable Hibbert was pulling members of the public to safety when he was hit by a bullet, with the shrapnel damaging the nerves behind his eye
Naveed Akram, 24, was charged with 59 offences including 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder following the attack at Bondi Beach
Naveed Akram, 24, and his 50-year-old father Sajid allegedly opened fire with military-grade weapons on hundreds attending the first day of the Jewish festival.
During the nine-minute attack, 16 people, including gunman Sajid, were killed, and 42 others were injured.
Constable Hibbert’s family shared their deep gratitude to his colleagues, friends, emergency services and the public for their overwhelming support, kind messages and well wishes.
‘The care and dedication shown by the medical staff has been nothing short of exceptional,’ their statement read.
‘We kindly ask that our family’s privacy be respected as we focus on Jack’s recovery and spend this special time together. Thank you again for the compassion, love, and support shown to our family.
‘Jacko, you’ve shown strength of a different degree, we are so glad you’re home buddy.’
NSW Health confirmed that as of 7.30am on Sunday, 13 people were still receiving treatment at hospitals across Sydney.
Of those still in hospital, four are in critical condition and nine are in a stable condition.
It comes as Aussies honoured the 15 people killed and dozens injured in the attack at an evening vigil on Saturday ahead of a National Day of Reflection.
The victims include 10-year-old Matilda; Edith Brutman, 68; Dan Elkayam, 27; Boris Gurman, 69, and his wife Sofia, 61; Alex Kleytman, 87; Yaakov Levitan, 39; Peter Meagher, 61; Reuven Morrison, 62; Marika Pogany, 82; Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41; Adam Smyth, 50; Boris Tetleroyd, 68; Tania Tretiak, 68; and Tibor Weitzen, 78.
Naveed, who allegedly shot at a crowd of hundreds alongside his father, spent two days in a coma after being shot by police.
His 50-year-old father, Sajid, was fatally shot by police.
The 24-year-old faced the Bail Division of Local Court Seven in Sydney from his hospital bed last week.
He was charged with 59 offences including 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder.
He did not appear or apply for bail during a brief bedside court hearing and the case was adjourned until April.