Former England captain Michael Vaughan was trapped in a Bondi restaurant during the horrific terror attack that rocked the country on Sunday night.
At least 16 people are dead and 38 more remain in hospital after two suspected shooters opened fire at an event celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah on Bondi Beach.
Hundreds of people ran from the beach while others were locked inside shops and restaurants as gunshots continued to go off.
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Vaughan, who is in Australia to commentate on The Ashes for Fox Sports, was one of them.
The 51-year-old said he eventually made it back to safety, thanking the first responders for their efforts.
“Being locked in a restaurant in Bondi was scary,” he said.
“Now home safe but thanks so much to the emergency services and the guy who confronted the terrorist.
“Thoughts with all who have been affected xxx.”
Vaughan has been coming to Australia to cover cricket for several years and spends a lot of his time in the Bondi and Coogee areas during his downtime from work.
At least 16 people have died and others have been injured in a mass shooting at Bondi Beach. Credit: AAP
He had been in Brisbane just over a week ago for the second Ashes Test and is set to travel to Adelaide this week for the third Test, starting Wednesday.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon on Monday morning confirmed the two men at the centre of the mass shooting were father and son.
“The offenders are a 50-year-old and 24-year-old male who are father and son,” Lanyon said.
“The 50-year-old is deceased. The 24-year-old is currently in hospital at the moment.”
Lanyon revealed the father held licenses for six separate firearms — the same number discovered at the scene of the shooting.
A deserted Bondi Beach at first light after Sunday’s terror attack. Credit: AAP
“Ballistic and forensic investigation will determine if those six firearms are the six that were licensed to that man but also that they were used in the offence yesterday,” Lanyon said.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has made a public call for those able to donate blood.
“If you are looking for something practical to do you could give blood,” Minns said on Monday.
“We saw extraordinary scenes from NSW public hospitals last night, emergency departments at the drop of a hat were in the process of saving scores of lives. They need your help.
“If you’re thinking about doing an act of public service in the coming 24 hours, I would urge you contact the Red Cross and do that piece of public-mindedness.”
— With Freddy Pawle
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