Bondi Beach terror attack survivor, Elon Zizer, has taken to social media to share his harrowing story of survival after he was shot in front of his children during the brutal anti-Semitic massacre.
Mr Zizer was out with his family at the Chanukah by the Sea event at Bondi Beach on December 14 when alleged gunmen Naveed and Sajid Akram opened fire killing 15 and injuring dozens more.
In his post to Instagram, Mr Zizer shared how the terrible tragedy changed his family members lives forever.
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“A day where I took the kids for face painting, rides and jam donuts, quickly turned into shielding my children at any cost,” he said.
The decision to protect his children would almost cost him his life, but Mr Zizer said he would do the same thing “time and time again, without any hesitation.”
Mr Zizer was out with his family at Bondi Beach when gunmen opened fire killing 15 and injuring dozens more. Credit: elonzizer/Instagram
He ended up in a coma for 10 days after he was shot in the chest while protecting his children with his father and mother, who he paid tribute to in his post.
“My beautiful mother. Who with my father and I, shielded my children with our bodies willing to pay the ultimate price,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Even with watching me her son, being severely wounded and no longer being able to shield my kids, she did not flinch, did not move or let go and held on to them, even after being shot multiple times herself.”
After he was shot, Mr Zizer said he crawled away because he didn’t want to die in front of his children.
His own father then risked his life to help him by attempting to stop the bleeding from his wounds.
“I will never forget looking up at him and seeing the stress and pain in his eyes, whilst trying to keep me here and awake,” Mr Zizer said. “This is something that will remain with me forever.”
He then shared his appreciation for 14-year-old Chaya Dadon, who risked her own life to protect Mr Zizer’s children.
“Chaya – The bravest 14 year old girl I think I will ever know in my life. A girl I never met before, a child herself, that saw my mother and how she couldn’t cover my children on her own with my father and I gone,” he wrote.
“She without hesitation, jumped on my babies and told them how much she loved them and protected them with her own young body, consequently being shot herself. I am forever grateful to you beautiful girl.”
Despite being shot in the thigh, Ms Dadon ultimately survived the horrific ordeal.
Mr Zizer then turned his attention to the Bondi lifeguards, who he said saved his life.
“I was fading bad, and may have even gone to the other side for a few mins, only to see and remember a blue lifeguard uniform pumping me with CPR and then giving me oxygen, which my father said was what really brought me back to life.”
“Beardy and Mario, I don’t even know you guys, but I love you guys. I’m looking forward to meeting you guys soon.”
Mr Zizer spent 10-days in a coma, and three weeks in the hospital after he was shot in the chest. Credit: elonzizer/Instagram
Mr Zizer said that he “cannot believe the love and support and prayers” he received from friends, family, and the wider community following the attack.
“You guys filled the ICU waiting room for 10 days straight whilst I was in my coma,” he said. “Although I was asleep, I could feel you guys, not more than 20m away from me.”
Mr Zizer ended off his post with a message for the staff at St Vincent’s Hospital: “You guys literally saved my life and did not give up on me!
“There is not one person who wasn’t incredible during this time. I don’t ever know how I could repay you all, but just know how grateful I am and will be for the rest of my life,” he said.
It was his strong will to live, Mr Zizer said, that helped him survive the ordeal.
“The hospital told me I would be there for 3-6 months, I got out after 3 weeks.” he said. “I even got to make it to my daughter’s first day of preschool!”
Mr Zizer ended of his heartwarming post with an inspirational message: “I will come back fitter and stronger, both mentally and physically than I ever was before December 14th and I’ll be back in no time! “
