For the first time, images have emerged of heroic police officer Jack Hibbert following his courageous act of rescuing a civilian during the terrifying Bondi Beach attack.
At just 22, Probationary Constable Hibbert found himself in the right place at the right time. He was enjoying a walk with his son near Archer Park when chaos erupted, as gunmen reportedly began firing.
Bravely, he ushered bystanders to safety amid the turmoil, but in the chaos, a bullet struck him, causing shrapnel to damage the delicate nerves behind his eye.
Rushed to the hospital in life-threatening condition, there was a grim possibility that he could lose his eye.
However, on the eve of Christmas, the devoted Dolphins fan received a heartwarming surprise—a special jersey—marking his discharge from the hospital.
The visit by Ian Allwood, acting president of the Police Association of NSW, was a poignant one, as he met with Constable Hibbert and his family.
A photo of the celebrations, shared by the association, showed the police officer smiling alongside Mr Allwood, Mark Bouris representing the NRL and Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco.
It came just two days after Constable Hibbert’s family released a statement via NSW Police announcing that he had been discharged from hospital in time for Christmas.
Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert is pictured (centre left) for the first time since he was injured during the Bondi Beach terror attack on December 14
The hero police officer was pulling members of the public to safety when he was struck by a bullet, shrapnel tearing into the nerves behind his eye
‘Our family would like to share that Jack has now been discharged from hospital,’ it read.
‘While he is home, he is still recovering and will need space, support, and continued positive thoughts during this time.
‘As a family, we couldn’t ask for anything more – having our Jack home, especially for Christmas, truly feels like a miracle.
‘Jacko you’ve shown strength of a different degree, we are so glad you’re home buddy.’
Soon after news broke of Constable Hibbert’s recovery, the family of Constable Scott Dyson, who was also critically injured in the terror attack, revealed he had woken from a medically induced coma on Tuesday after undergoing surgery almost daily.
He was part of the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command for 18 months before he was shot.
‘Our family would like to share that Scott has been getting stronger each day, and today (December 23), he was woken up for the first time,’ the family statement read.
‘There is still a long way to go in his recovery, but this is a positive sign.
Constable Scott Dyson (pictured), who was also critically injured in the terror attack, was woken from a medically induced coma on Tuesday after undergoing surgery almost daily
People take photos of a makeshift floral memorial at Bondi Beach
‘We would like to thank the public for the support, messages and well wishes shown to Scott and our family during this difficult time. We are also grateful for the tireless work of his medical team.’
Last week, his partner, fellow NSW Police officer Jessica Townsend said the couple was expecting a child.
‘On the evening of December 14, I truly believed I would never see Scott again after receiving news of his life-threatening injuries sustained as a result of the actions of two (people) at the Bondi terror attack,’ Ms Townsend wrote.
The deadly attack at the iconic beach unfolded as hundreds of people gathered for a Hanukkah by the Sea event just before 7pm on December 14.
Naveed Akram, 24, and his 50-year-old father Sajid allegedly opened fire with military-grade weapons on hundreds attending the first day of the Jewish festival.
During the nine-minute attack, 16 people, including gunman Sajid, were killed, and 42 others were injured.
NSW Health confirmed on Thursday morning that 11 victims were still in hospital.
