APOLA recognises professional lifeguard for role in aiding victims during Bondi Junction stabbing rampage

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.