Emergency responders and public heroes from the Bondi mass shooting were honoured with a guard of honour at the Sydney Ashes Test
EMERGENCY service personnel and members of the public who responded to a mass shooting at Bondi Beach were honoured at the fifth Ashes Test on Sunday.
England and Australia’s cricket teams formed a guard of honour ahead of the clash, accompanied by loud applause from the sold-out crowd.
The biggest cheer came for hero Ahmed al Ahmed, who ran towards an attacker and wrestled the gun from him.
Father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram are accused of targeting a Hanukkah event at the beach on December 14.
Fifteen people were killed and dozens wounded in what authorities have described as an antisemitic terrorist attack.
Cricket Australia chief Todd Greenberg called it “a devastating tragedy”.
“The incredible acts of bravery by first responders and community members at the scene of the Bondi attack were a reminder of the spirit of community and self-sacrifice that unites us as a nation,” he said.
“Our thoughts remain with those effected by this devastating tragedy and as a sport we will continue to provide what support we can.”
Among those honoured were ambulance workers, police officers, surf lifesavers and Jewish community groups.
A heightened security operation is in place for the Test, with uniformed and mounted police patrolling the venue.
Public order and riot squad officers are also present, mirroring security measures used at the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
Specialist police at that event were armed with semi-automatic rifles.
