Michael Vaughan reveals escaping Bondi Beach shooting, hails Ahmed al Ahmed’s bravery: 'I wouldn't have done that'

Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan has hailed Ahmed al Ahmed for his “bravery and calmness,” while also revealing how he survived the Bondi Beach terror attack in Sydney on Sunday. At least 15 people were killed in the Bondi Beach attack after two gunmen, who were father and son, started shooting at a Jewish holiday celebration.

The senior shooter, who was 50 years old, died at the scene, while his 24-year-old son is in hospital in critical condition. Meanwhile, Ahmed al Ahmed, a fruit seller at Bondi Beach, has become an overnight star in Australia for his heroics during the attack.

Not fearing for his life, Ahmed al Ahmed tackled and unarmed one of the shooters. In the process, he was also hit by two bullets and is currently undergoing treatment in a hospital, but he helped save many lives.

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This is Ahmed Al Ahmed. He is a 43 year old man and owner of a fruit shop in Sutherland, Australia.

Today, he disarmed a terrorist targeting a Hanukkah celebration, already having killed 12 people and injured more thwn 60.

Ahmed is a hero and saved many more lives. pic.twitter.com/4L0pALeiAa

— Montana Tucker (@montanatucker) December 14, 2025

Vaughan survives Bondi Beach terror attack

Former England batter Vaughan revealed on Sunday that he was at a nearby restaurant during the attack, but survived the attack by staying locked in the building.

“Being locked in a restaurant in Bondi was scary .. 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,” he tweeted.

Vaughan is regular to Australia for Ashes commentary cuties, and he is often seen hanging out on Bondi Beach.

Vaughan: ‘I don’t think I would have done what Ahmed did’

While speaking to Piers Morgan about the attack, Vaughan praised Ahmed al Ahmed for his heroism, which he said most of us would not have been able to do.

“You just know how people are gonna react. Anyone is going to run away from the situation,” Vaughan said while hailing Ahmed al Ahmed. “That’s probably how most people would react to make sure they are fine. But the thing that he ran, jumped on the back of someone who had a gun, managed to wrestle it off him, and then he didn’t shoot him. He had the gun, then he just put it down and got shot himself. I can’t even for my life think what I would do in that situation, but I don’t think I would have done that.”

"I don't think I would have done that... he will be awarded every honour he can possibly get."

Michael Vaughan commends the bravery of Ahmed al Ahmed, who de-armed one of the Bondi Beach gunmen.

📺 https://t.co/4efNcE9CRY@piersmorgan | @MichaelVaughan pic.twitter.com/zdbTczj8ku

— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) December 14, 2025

Vaughan added that while most would run away to save their lives, Ahmed al Ahmed decided to risk his life and save others.

“You just think for yourself, we would probably hide in a car or run away. To think that in that moment he reacted in that way with a huge amount of bravery and calmness to deal with that…he looks like a big fella, he managed to wrestle the gun off, but the fact that he didn’t shoot, he was calm himself, showed what an incredible human being he must be. Hope he is absolutely fine. I have no idea how many lives he saved, but he saved plenty.”

On the Bondi Bach attack, Vaughan said he first felt it was a shark attack before realising that it was a terror attack.

“I presumed it was a shark attack … I didn’t expect what I found out a few minutes later,” Vaughan said. “A security guard outside the pub told us there was someone with a gun and people were being held hostage.

“We all got told to get inside the restaurant and news filtered in that there had been an attack on the beach but we didn’t know what that meant at that time.

“After it was (clear it was) a terrorist attack, they locked the door and told us to stay. For a period we didn’t know what was going on and we were locked inside this restaurant."

Pat Cummins reacts to Bondi Beach shooting

Meanwhile, Australia Test captain Pat Cummins, who lives with his family not very far away from Bondi Beach in Sydney’s eastern suburb of Waverley, shared a message of support for the Jewish community in Australia.

“Absolutely devastated by the horror last night in Bondi. My heart goes out to the victims, their families, the people of Bondi and the Jewish community during this time,” Cummins wrote on Instagram.

“If you can, please book an appointment to donate blood.”