As more stories and information emerges from the tragic mass shooting at Bondi Beach, Australia on December 14, reports on the ground say that the lifeguards were the first to respond, running into the gunfire.
The CEO of Surf Lifesaving New South Wales, Steven Pearce, said lifeguards rushed into the chaos, pulling children away from a park into safety as bullets still rang out. They then returned to the scene to perform first aid on the wounded.
Bondi Surf Clubhouse at North Bondi – roughly 300 meters from the scene – was used to shelter more than 200 people. The other surf clubhouse, closer to the incident, had four victims with gunshot wounds and a woman who was in labor induced by the trauma of the incident. The clubhouses were stripped of all first aid gear and surfboards were used as stretchers for the wounded.
According to Pearce, many beachgoers sought safety by swimming into the ocean, forcing lifeguards to also enter the water to rescue those struggling in the waves.
“The lifesavers and lifeguards basically held the scene until ambulance and police – who arrived really, really quickly – came to take over,” said Pearce. “Life saving is an iconic organization, and that’s why it’s so shocking that this has occurred here. But it also brings out the best in Australians to see those bystanders just racing without fear of their own safety, trying to help others – the lifesavers, the lifeguards, the ambulance crews rolling in knowing that there’s gunfire. That’s pretty heroic.”
Sadly, at least 14 victims perished in the incident. One of the two suspects was pronounced deceased after a shootout with police, while the other is in custody.
Pearce said the lifeguard clubhouses will replace all the equipment, as the current gear triggers traumatic memories for the lifesavers.
