Updated December 16, 2025 — 9:50am,first published December 16, 2025 — 8:08am
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Lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers 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 sprinting 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.Instagram / @alexandra_2026
Footage shared by Doolan also showed lifeguard 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 generally 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” Carroll said helping the community was in lifeguards’ DNA.Jessica Hromas
There were about 30 lifesavers and volunteers on the 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, when hundreds of bandages were applied as lifesavers triaged victims as they waited for ambulances. No volunteer lifeguards or lifesavers were injured, he said.
Surf Life Saving chief executive Steven Pearce (right), pictured with general manager Brent Manieri, says lifeguards ran straight into gunfire.Kate Geraghty
“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 lifesavers, through to the local community members, to do whatever they can to preserve human life down here,” he said.
Carroll, 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.
Carroll made strong remarks about protests and politics, saying Australia should look to the US for approaches to tackle antisemitism.
“We need someone powerful in this country to lead us in the right direction [and] we need a stance in this country on the hatred against the Jews,” he said.
More coverage on the Bondi terror attack
Bondi Beach incident helplines:
- Victim Services helpline 1800 411 822
- Public Information & Enquiry Centre on 1800 227 228
- Supply information to police on 1800 333 000
NSW Health disaster mental health support clinicians will be available at Bondi over coming days and weeks. These staff will be mobile and identified by NSW Health vests.
Other support:
- NSW Health Mental Health Line, available 24/7 on 1800 011 511
- For crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Children and young people can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.au.
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