In a dramatic incident at Bondi Beach, 19-year-old lifeguard Rory Davey swiftly rescued Levi Xu during a shooting that left many in panic. What happened that sunny afternoon, when the unexpected chaos struck and Davey sprung into heroic action without a second thought.
While on duty for Waverley Council at the time, Davey responded to the gunfire by wasting no time and rushing towards the sound. Xu described the panic he felt, stating, “My muscles became very tense, I was highly nervous.” As the situation escalated, he found himself in the direct line of danger, recalling, “I kept hearing the gun firing sounds coming from one place, and the gunman was right in front of me.”
When they finally made it to Xu, Xu’s partner Davey Wong calmed them down by telling them, “It’s okay now. While not a cure-all, this profoundly simple affirmation is what Xu needed most in those alarming conditions. Alongside Xu’s friend, she hopped on top of a specialized rescue board used by first responders, which helped carry them both to safety from the peril below.
Xu was particularly impressed by Davey’s cool demeanor during the rescue. “He saved my life. I wanted to say thanks to him, even though I didn’t know his name,” Xu expressed. The swift action of their local lifeguard didn’t just save their lives, it showcased what Xu went on to call “the Australian kindness.”
After the incident, Xu was inspired to find a way to express his gratitude and directly sent a message to Davey. What followed was a chance for them to connect beyond the traumatic event, having dinner together later that night. Xu emphasized that Davey’s bravery inspired him, remarking on the warmth and courage he encountered in Australia, saying, “I really like Australia because I find people very brave and kind.”
In responding to accolades for his actions, Davey humbly stated, “Any single one of our lifeguards would have done the exact same thing.” As he noted, his colleagues didn’t flinch. They were eager to help those suffering rather than remain hunkered down in safety. “There wouldn’t even have been a second thought about whether they stay in the cover of the buggy or go out and rescue the two swimmers,” he added.
For Xu, the incident would have deep emotional repercussions. He admitted, “When I was back to the beach, I instinctively wanted to hide. I had to walk alongside the walls. I felt unsafe walking in the middle of the path.” He acknowledged that moving forward from this experience was essential for him, stating, “It’s important to me. I need to do it so that I can drop my mental burden and move on.”
