Bondi Rescue star Andrew Reid is being hailed a hero after refusing evacuation orders to go and help stabbing victims at Westfield shopping centre: ‘I have never seen so much blood’
Bondi Rescue star Andrew Reid was shopping for a new bed when a frantic store worker told him that ‘people are being stabbed’ and ‘the building is being evacuated’.
The reality of the situation became clear when gunshots rang out across the Bondi Junction Westfield complex at around 3.30pm on Saturday, causing panic and fear.
The shutters at Myers came down to protect the people inside, but when Reid looked across the mall to the fourth floor below, he saw a woman lying on the floor in desperate need of help.
Without hesitation, the brave father of three asked to be let out so he could administer first aid.
Bondi Rescue star Andrew Reid has been hailed as a hero for helping stabbing victims at Bondi Junction shopping centre
“There was a lady…and there was blood everywhere,” Reid told 9News.
“I realized I had to help, because that’s what we as lifeguards are trained to do.”
He and two other members of the public administered first aid to the woman, along with police officers.
“I’ve never seen so much blood… We were just looking for wounds and trying to stop the bleeding,” Reid said.
“When I looked up there were just multiple victims, about 50 yards apart. The lady next to us was in very bad shape; there were others who were working on her.’
The knifeman, wearing a Kangaroos rugby league jersey, had attacked nine people, including a baby, in what appears to be a random stabbing.
Six victims are now dead and others are feared to remain in hospital.
His rampage finally came to an end when a brave female police inspector single-handedly confronted the man and shot him dead.
Without hesitation, the brave father of three asked to be let out so he could administer first aid
Tactical police are depicted with long-arm weapons
Among the first to be attacked was reportedly a woman and her baby (not pictured)
Paramedics are pictured taking a victim to an ambulance
The ordeal finally came to an end when a heroic female officer sprang into action and shot the knifeman dead (scene pictured)
After helping stabilize the woman, Reid continued walking around the mall to help others.
At that point, tactical police stormed the building floor by floor to secure the scene.
‘I saw that the police needed help with the other lady, so I started giving her compressions. I don’t think she made it,” Reid said.
‘Then I went to help the next victim and saw an empty stroller. I have three young children and just oh my god.’
While Reid is no stranger to life and death situations, he admits he has never experienced anything this traumatic.
“After twenty years of working on the beach, I’ve seen quite a few ugly things, but nothing like this.”