In brief
Constable Jack Hibbert, a 22-year-old police officer injured in a terror attack at Bondi Beach, has been released from the hospital just in time for Christmas. Shot in the head and shoulder during the incident, Hibbert has lost vision in one eye but is recovering at home, where his family expresses overwhelming gratitude for the public's support and the medical team's care. His bravery during the attack has been praised, and police authorities assure continued support during his recovery journey.
A young police officer who was shot in the head during the Bondi Beach attack has been released from hospital.
Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert - who is just four months into the job - was patrolling a Hanukkah event when two gunmen opened fire, injuring over 40 people and killing 15.
The 22-year-old, who was also hit in the shoulder, has lost vision in one of his eyes but is now recovering at home, his family confirmed in a statement.
As a family, we couldn't ask for anything more - having our Jack home, especially for Christmas, truly feels like a miracle.
The family thanked the public for their overwhelming support and praised medical staff for their exceptional care and dedication.
While he is home, he is still recovering and will need space, support, and continued positive thoughts during this time, the statement added.
Even after he was shot during the attack, Constable Hibbert continued to help festival attendees until he physically couldn't, his family previously said.
Many of his colleagues who were present on the night of the incident have visited in hospital and given testaments to Jack's bravery during the incident... They described how Jack acted, he moved toward people in need, not away from danger, they said.
He was one of two police officers injured in the shooting, with the second officer Constable Scott Dyson, 25, still recovering from his injuries in hospital, according to the last police update.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon praised Constable Hibbert as a positive young man and assured support for Hibbert’s future roles post-recovery.
Police allege the gunmen inspired by Islamic State ideology meticulously planned the attack, which was aimed at the Jewish festival.
Naveed Akram, 24, has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder. The second gunman, his father Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police at the scene.
