A young police officer hailed as a hero for his actions during the deadly Bondi Beach terror attack has been pictured for the first time since being critically injured. Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert, 22, was finally discharged from hospital in time to spend Christmas at home with his family.
A Christmas Miracle for a Wounded Hero
Constable Hibbert was one of several officers already at the iconic Sydney beach on the evening of December 14 when the shooting began. He was walking with his young son near Archer Park when gunmen allegedly opened fire on a Hanukkah by the Sea event.
The probationary constable was actively pulling members of the public to safety when he was struck by a bullet. Shrapnel from the round tore into the nerves behind his eye, leaving him in a critical condition and facing the potential loss of the eye.
After a harrowing period in hospital, his family released a statement via NSW Police confirming his discharge. "Our family would like to share that Jack has now been discharged from hospital," the statement read. "While he is home, he is still recovering and will need space, support, and continued positive thoughts during this time."
Community Support and a Special Gesture
In a heartwarming show of support, the Police Association of NSW arranged a special visit for the constable on Christmas Eve. Acting president Ian Allwood visited Hibbert and his family, presenting the massive Dolphins NRL fan with a special jersey.
A photo shared by the association shows the injured officer smiling alongside Mr Allwood, Mark Bouris representing the NRL, and Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco. His family expressed profound relief, stating, "Having our Jack home, especially for Christmas, truly feels like a miracle."
Long Road to Recovery for All Victims
The positive news for Constable Hibbert came alongside an update on another officer critically injured in the same attack. Constable Scott Dyson, who was part of the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command, was woken from a medically induced coma on Tuesday, December 23.
His family revealed he had been undergoing surgery almost daily since the attack. "There is still a long way to go in his recovery, but this is a positive sign," their statement said, thanking the public and medical teams for their support.
The terror attack, which unfolded over nine minutes, resulted in tragic consequences. Sixteen people, including one of the gunmen, were killed. NSW Health confirmed that as of Thursday morning, 11 victims remained in hospital. The alleged attackers, Naveed Akram, 24, and his 50-year-old father Sajid, are accused of using military-grade weapons on the crowd.
