Westfield Bondi Junction attack: Security guard injured during deadly rampage recalls the moment his colleague was stabbed to death as harrowing new vision emerges
A Westfield security guard who was injured in the terrifying Bondi Junction rampage says he will never forget watching helplessly as his colleague was stabbed to death by a crazed knifeman.
Five women and security guard Faraz Tahir were stabbed to death when Joel Cauchi attacked innocent bystanders in a frenzied attack last Saturday.
Guard Muhammad Taha remains in hospital after being stabbed in the stomach during the attack.
He recalled the moment he and his new colleague, Mr Tahir, came face to face with Cauchi, when a new vision arose of the pair just before they were attacked.
Muhammad Taha (pictured) broke his silence from his hospital bed, six days after being stabbed in the stomach
The Westfield security guard had been showing Faraz Tahir around on his first day at work when they became involved in the rampage
The pair had shared stories about their families in their home country of Pakistan just before the chaos.
The footage filmed by a customer shows the security guards walking through Westfield before being alerted by shouts as a male onlooker frantically points them in the direction of Cauchi, who had already begun his rampage.
A woman was heard calling for an ambulance as bystanders helped injured victims in the background.
The guards went off camera as they headed toward an injured woman lying on the ground when they were spotted by Cauchi.
“He suddenly noticed us, he jumped on Faraz and stabbed him in the chest,” he told Nine News from his hospital bed.
βWhen Faraz turned around, there was blood on his chest, I was very shocked.
‘ At the same time he jumped towards me.
“I tried to defend myself, I tried to use my hands and somehow he managed to stab me in the stomach.”
Mr Taha initially did not notice that he had been injured and was only concerned about his colleague who was on his first day at work.
‘I was just taking care of Faraz. βI tried to help him,β he said.
Westfield guard Faraz Tahir died after being stabbed in the chest
Mr. Taha called his best friend Muhammad Fahad, who also works as a security guard at the mall, came to the aid of his colleagues.
βHe did everything he could (to help), he helped me, other people and Faraz, so I am very grateful to him,β Mr Taha said.
‘There was a lot of blood. He put pressure on my side. Thanks to him I survived.
“I wouldn’t be here without him.”
He had no idea Mr Tahir had died until two days after the stabbing.
I could have been the one (who died). There was (a) very mixed feeling, I (can’t) even express it, I was speechless at that moment
Mr Taha also thanked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns for approving his permanent residency in Australia.
The Prime Minister said people like Mr Taha were welcome in Australia.β
“This is another person who just arrived, was working here and risked his life to protect Australians he didn’t know,” Albanese said on Thursday evening.
“Amid all this carnage and grief there are stories of courage… he is certainly the kind of character we would like to see continue to contribute here in Australia.”
Sydneysiders paid tribute as Westfield Bondi Junction reopened for business on Friday
Mr Taha now wants the same recognition of citizenship for his best friend who saved his life.
βI want that (same recognition) for Fahad, he deserves it,β Mr Taha said.
Westfield Bondi Junction reopened for trading on Friday, six days after the disaster.
About thirty stores remained closed.
Thousands of people will descend on Bondi Beach this Sunday for a candlelight vigil for the six victims.
The wake starts at 5:30 PM.