AI Generated Summary
- As the nation continues to grapple with the shock of the attack, Singh-Bola’s actions have been widely recognised as an example of extraordinary courage — a split-second decision by an ordinary bystander that helped prevent further loss of life.
- A 34-year-old man of Indian origin has recounted the terrifying moments when he rushed toward danger during the deadly Bondi Beach shooting, helping police restrain one of the alleged attackers as chaos unfolded around him.
- Despite being covered in blood, he later explained that his nausea afterward had more to do with exhaustion and the spicy food he had eaten moments earlier than the violence he had witnessed.
A 34-year-old man of Indian origin has recounted the terrifying moments when he rushed toward danger during the deadly Bondi Beach shooting, helping police restrain one of the alleged attackers as chaos unfolded around him.
Amandeep Singh-Bola, a personal trainer born in New Zealand to Indian and Kiwi parents, said his instinct was simple: stop the threat if possible and help anyone in need. Speaking to SBS News, he described acting without hesitation after realising the sounds he initially thought were fireworks were gunshots.
The attack took place on December 14 at Bondi Beach, where a Jewish festival was being celebrated. Fifteen people were killed and at least 40 others injured, including three Indian students, when a father and son opened fire on crowds gathered near the shoreline.
According to authorities, one of the alleged attackers, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, was fatally shot by police, while his 24-year-old, Australia-born son Naveed Akram was wounded during the incident.
Singh-Bola said he had been eating a kebab and watching the sunset when panic broke out. After taking cover and scanning the area, he spotted the gunman on a nearby bridge. “Once I saw where he was, nothing else really mattered,” he said.
He ran toward the bridge and, with the assistance of a police officer, tackled the suspect. “I jumped on top of him and grabbed his arms,” Singh-Bola recalled. “The police officer told me not to let him go.”
Police gunfire soon followed. Singh-Bola said he remained on top of the man as officers secured the scene, aware that the gunman was dying beneath him. Despite being covered in blood, he later explained that his nausea afterward had more to do with exhaustion and the spicy food he had eaten moments earlier than the violence he had witnessed.
Australia’s federal police commissioner, Krissy Barrett, has since described the shooting as a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State.
Investigators have identified Sajid Akram as an Indian citizen originally from Hyderabad who migrated to Australia nearly three decades ago. His son, Naveed Akram, holds Australian citizenship.
As the nation continues to grapple with the shock of the attack, Singh-Bola’s actions have been widely recognised as an example of extraordinary courage — a split-second decision by an ordinary bystander that helped prevent further loss of life.
