Two first responders who helped victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack have found love and are set to wed later this year.
Content creator James McIntosh, 46, and physiotherapist Alexandra ‘Lexi’ Edmondson, 35, had only just finished a surf lifesaving course together when tragedy struck in Sydney.
The couple had become acquainted after finishing the eight-week course – and on the day of the attack, they were heading to Bondi Surf Club’s Christmas party with a friend.
Two gunmen then opened fire at a Jewish “Chanukah by the Sea” celebration on the beach, killing 15 people and injuring dozens more.
The pair immediately rushed to provide emergency assistance, treating seven casualties between them.
Among those they helped was a man with a gunshot wound to his leg.
Photographs from the tragic day captured Mr McIntosh and Ms Edmondson assisting police in carrying the injured man to an improvised triage zone.
The couple had recently become acquainted after finishing an eight-week surf lifesaving course
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JAMES MCINTOSH
And just two days later, a kiss at a friend’s dinner party sparked their rapid romance.
By Boxing Day, they had already moved in together.
Mr McIntosh proposed to his now-fiance while the couple were on holiday together in Mexico last month.
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The pair immediately rushed to provide emergency assistance to the victims of the shooting
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“We had already talked about the idea of marriage and cleared it with our families,” Mr McIntosh told the Daily Mail.
“I had never been so sure of anything in my life.”
“She’s such a beautiful soul and I’ve never had an connection with anyone like this.”
Last Friday, they were among 80 Good Samaritans and first responders recognised at a Shabbat ceremony at Bondi’s Central Synagogue.
The place of worship’s Rabbi Levi Wolff extended an offer to marry them there after learning of their engagement.
They were among 80 Good Samaritans and first responders recognised at Bondi’s Central Synagogue
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The couple intend to marry in November and hope to start a family.
They are considering the possibility of becoming the first non-Jewish couple to wed at the synagogue.
“We are very honoured but need to explore further about how that would all unfold,” Mr McIntosh said.
“But we love the idea that it could strengthen the community in a time of healing.”
