74510

Waverley Council lifeguard Andrew ‘Reidy’ Reid has today been recognised for his heroic role in helping victims of the Bondi Junction stabbing calamity by the Australian Pool and Lifeguard Association (APOLA).

Announced during the annual APOLA Conference in Coffs Harbour, Reid, who regularly appears on the Bondi Rescue television show, was announced as the recipient of APOLA’s Meritorious Service Award.

Reid, aged 44, was caught up in the attack on Saturday 13th April after driving to Westfield Bondi Junction to shop for a bunk bed for his two daughters and son, aged three to five years old,

With the knifeman having been on the loose, having heard shots and seen bloodied bodies scattered on the floor of the shopping centre, he set about helping victims.

Speaking to Woman's Day, he advised that having been locked behind shuttered roller doors in Myer, he insisted that a security guard let him out so he could help people who had been stabbed.

Reid advised "I could see a woman bleeding really badly and I thought I've just got to get down there and help.

Earlier he had told 9News “there was a lady… and there was just blood everywhere.

“I realised I had to go and help because that’s what we’re trained to do as lifeguards.”

He and two other members of the public gave the woman first aid, along with NSW police officers.

He noted “I have never seen so much blood... we were just looking for wounds, trying to stem the bleeding.

“As I looked up there were multiple victims about 50 metre apart. The lady next to us was in a really bad way - there were others working on her.”

Once Reid had helped to stabilise the woman, he continued to move through the shopping centre to help others.

With tactical police storming the building going floor by floor to secure the scene, he advised “I saw police needed help with the other lady so I started doing compressions on her. I don’t think she made it.

“Then I went to help the next victim and saw an empty pram. I have three young kids and just though oh my God.”

The Saturday afternoon attack saw the knifeman slash at nine people, including a baby, in what appears to be a random mental-health related stabbing spree.

Six of the victims died.

It ended when a brave female police officer single-handedly confronted the man and shot him dead.

Reid has been widely hailed a hero for his role in helping the stabbing victims.

The APOLA Conference has included significant presentations on Council Lifeguard Services, the Coastal Safety Group, Investing in Water Safety and Investment in Council Lifeguarding.

Image: Waverley Council lifeguard Andrew ‘Reidy’ Reid. Credit: Waverley Council.

Related Articles

14th April 2024 - Bondi Junction fitness centres closed in aftermath of knife attack murders

19th March 2024 - 2024 APOLA Conference to argue for investment in drowning prevention

1st March 2024 - Surf Life Saving Australia reveals summer with 99 drowning deaths and more than 5,000 lives saved

28th January 2024 - World Conference on Drowning Prevention organisers invite input on closing statement

12th December 2023 - APOLA President Bruce Hopkins promotes ‘Float to Survive’ message with Blacktown City Council

2nd December 2023 - Bondi lifeguards plead for return of stolen beach buggy

30th November 2023 - Randwick Council introduces professional lifeguarding services at two new Sydney beaches this summer

19th September 2023 - City of Newcastle lifeguards prepare students for a safe summer

5th September 2023 - Royal Life Saving highlights swim teacher and lifeguard shortages present opportunities for job seekers this summer

15th June 2023 - Lifeguard services and sport venue accessibility among initiatives prioritised in Gold Coast budget

2nd June 2023 - Research explores mortality risk among surfers and bodyboarders

21st April 2023 - APOLA’s 26th National Conference heads to the Gold Coast

17th March 2023 - Shellharbour City Council lifeguards recognised by APOLA

6th February 2023 - Victorian surfers save hundreds from drowning each year

26th October 2022 - Randwick City Council hosts inaugural Coastal Safety Group Conference 2022

18th September 2022 - Professional ocean lifeguard patrols ramping up for summer

9th September 2022 - APOLA President Bruce Hopkins gains support for adoption of Float to Survive initiative as a national anti-drowning prevention message

24th May 2022 - Conference sees APOLA ride a wave of change

7th May 2021 - Review gives ‘top marks’ to Gold Coast’s professional lifeguard services

4th May 2021 - Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguards Association conference to explore reversing rising summer drowning toll

22nd May 2019 - Federal Government won’t deliver on APOLA funding plea to reduce drownings

15th December 2017 - Leading professional lifeguard says swim between flags message is ‘desirable but unrealistic’

6th January 2017 - Bondi Rescue educates the world about beach safety

27th December 2015 - Professional Lifeguards highlight need for safety first at the beach

7th December 2015 - Surf Life Saving Australia National Coastal Safety Report shows rise in drowning deaths

14th December 2014 - National Coastal Safety Report shows reduction in drowning deaths

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.