Aussies have criticised Channel Nine after a reporter cut short a live interview with a lifeguard as he attempted to publicly recognise those who helped victims during the Bondi Beach terror attack.
Ben Davies, a former lifeguard and creator of Bondi Rescue, was speaking with A Current Affair about the actions of local surf lifesavers who rushed to help as gunfire erupted on Sunday evening.
During the interview, Davies described the response as “extraordinary” and said it restored faith in humanity.
“It gives you hope … there’s more good people in the world than bad people,” he told reporter Leila McKinnon.
Davies then asked if he could read out the names of the lifeguards who assisted at the scene but was stopped mid-sentence.
“We don’t have time for that. I’m really sorry but no. Thank you so much for coming on,” McKinnon replied. “I think we’ll just leave it there. There is hope and Bondi will overcome.”
McKinnon then crossed to host Ally Langdon. There was a brief pause before Langdon began speaking as the camera panned to crop Davies out of the shot.
The exchange sparked backlash online, with viewers accusing the program of being disrespectful to those who put themselves in danger to help others.
“That’s a shame. They had to time to say their piece, but not acknowledge people who were very brave. Good on Ben for trying to do that. Really poor form on Channel 9 and A Current Affairs part,” one user wrote on X.
“His face said it all. I’m so sorry they didn’t give you the time to acknowledge those lifeguards. This country is so grateful to you all for what you do,” wrote another.
“So disrespectful,” a third commented.
Davies, a Bondi local, was among many members of the public and surf lifesavers who responded in the immediate aftermath of the attack.
Footage from the scene showed surfboards being used as stretchers as responders attempted to treat the injured.
Davies said he ran to the lifeguard tower after hearing gunshots to make sure his son had safely left the beach.
“The boys were running to grab supplies and oxygen bottles and medical kits,” he said.
“Instead of going with the crowd, they ran into it.
“They went into the area where people are on the ground bleeding, and started performing first aid … bullets still going off.
“That was absolutely like a war zone. It was a massacre.”
The lifeguards who ran into the line of fire to help the wounded were named as Michael Jenkinson, Troy Quinlan, Mario Marfella, Rory Davey, Jackson Doolan, Daniel McLaughlin, Trent Maxwell, Trent “Singlets”, Frankie Desrets, Eddy Hudson, Lindsey Lowry, Wally Egelton and Tommy Woodriff.
Image: A Current Affair
