Bondi hero Ahmed Al Ahmed has arrived in New York City to begin specialist medical treatment following the Bondi massacre last month.
The 43-year-old, who was shot five times during the terror attack, was accompanied by FBI personnel on the first leg of his journey to the United States, arriving initially in Los Angeles.
Al Ahmed described the trip as a “long journey, but a necessary one” as he seeks treatment for his injuries.
He has shared photos and footage of his travel on a newly-created Instagram account, which has already attracted more than 5,000 followers.
“On my way to start my treatment journey in the United States. I kindly ask everyone to keep me in their prayers,” he wrote in a post.
“Thank you for your love and support.”
Ahmed’s arrival comes just days after he and other heroes and first responders were honoured at the Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground over the weekend.
He was seen with his arm in a sling, a reminder of the five gunshot wounds he sustained while trying to protect others during the attack.
Ahmed has since undergone three rounds of surgery.
The father-of-three was among the first heroes identified following the massacre, which claimed 15 lives during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach. He was seen tackling and disarming one of the shooters, sustaining injuries in the process.
“My target was just to take the gun from him and to stop him from killing a human being, life, and not killing innocent people,” Ahmed told CBS in an exclusive interview.
Reflecting on the attack, he acknowledged the lives his actions may have saved, but said, “I feel sorry still for the lost.”
While recovering in hospital, Ahmed was presented with a cheque for $2.5 million, raised through a GoFundMe campaign to support his ongoing medical care.
Images: Instagram
