Former England captain Michael Vaughan has described the moments he heard gunshots during Sunday’s deadly attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney as “terrifying”. Vaughan said he and his family were locked inside a nearby restaurant for several hours as the situation unfolded.
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Vaughan, who is in Australia for the ongoing Ashes series, said he was standing outside the restaurant when he heard noises he initially mistook for fireworks coming from the beach. A bouncer quickly intervened and urged people to move indoors.
He explained that he was with his wife, sister-in-law, two daughters and a family friend at the time. The family is staying in nearby Coogee after spending the day watching his son participate in a local cricket match.
Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan has revealed the terrifying moments his family was caught in Bondi during Sunday night’s attack.
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Authorities later confirmed that at least 15 civilians, including a child, were killed in the attack. The incident occurred during a Hanukkah celebration organised by Sydney’s Jewish community at Bondi Beach. Police said a father and son were the alleged shooters, with the older man killed at the scene and the younger hospitalised in critical condition.
Speaking to British media, Vaughan described the experience as surreal and deeply upsetting. He said Sydney felt “like my second home” and described Australia as one of the safest countries in the world, making the attack even more shocking.
Despite the tragedy, the third Ashes Test in Adelaide will go ahead as scheduled on Wednesday. Vaughan said the atmosphere would be sombre but felt it was important for the match to proceed as a sign of resilience.
Cricket Australia confirmed there would be a tribute and moment of silence before play, with both teams wearing black armbands. The England and Wales Cricket Board expressed condolences to the victims and the Jewish community.
Read More: Deadly shooting rocks Sydney’s bondi beach
England vice-captain Harry Brook and Australia spinner Nathan Lyon both said players were devastated by the events. South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas also confirmed increased security measures at the Adelaide Oval.