UPDATE: In a dramatic turn of events, Kellie Sloane, the NSW Opposition Leader and Member for Vaucluse, became a hero as she saved the lives of a young father and his son during a terrifying incident at a Chanukah event in Bondi Beach on December 14. This urgent situation unfolded just one week after Australia’s deadliest terror attack targeted the Jewish community, leaving many shaken.
As Sloane prepared to address a lively Chanukah carnival in Dover Heights, she witnessed chaos erupt around her when gunfire broke out. “People were laughing and dancing, but then I saw the crowd start to run,” Sloane recounted during a vigil attended by more than 20,000 people, with hundreds of thousands more watching live.
Jumping into action, Sloane joined Rabbi Mendy Litzman in a Hatzolah ambulance, racing towards the scene of the shooting. “I didn’t get a chance to share my words of hope,” she said, emphasizing the urgency of the situation as they sped through the streets of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.
Amidst the chaos, Sloane spotted a young father and his son hiding under the bridge where the gunmen were firing. “A Hatzolah car pulled up right under the bridge,” the father recalled. Sloane, recognizing the imminent danger, signaled for them to get in the car quickly. However, when it became clear that Litzman had taken the keys, Sloane bravely jumped out to retrieve them.
The father and son’s escape was harrowing. As they attempted to flee, they encountered one of the gunmen, who was preparing to shoot. “I froze for a second, but I quickly grabbed my son and we ran,” the father said, recounting how they sheltered behind a concrete balustrade as bullets flew above them.
“We heard every single gunshot,” he disclosed, describing how he comforted his son during the terrifying ordeal. Sloane, arriving moments later, found herself providing first aid to the injured and offering solace to those in distress. “I witnessed the chaos and the distress, and I saw the injured,” she stated, highlighting the bravery of first responders.
At the Light Over Darkness vigil, Sloane emphasized the devastating impact of the attack but also spoke of hope. “The outpouring of love has given me hope,” she concluded passionately. “Together, we will find the light.”
This remarkable incident not only demonstrates the courage of individuals like Kellie Sloane but also underscores the resilience of the community in the face of terror. With ongoing discussions about safety and support for the affected, the focus now shifts to how the community will heal and come together moving forward.
As more details emerge from this tragic event, the world watches closely, eager to support those affected and celebrate the heroes who emerged from the chaos.
