A man hailed as the 'Bondi Beach hero' has spoken out from his hospital bed as he shared a concerning health update.
Police say father and son, named in local media as Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed, 24, are responsible for killing 15 people at Bondi Beach during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sunday (14 December).
Sajid was shot and died at the scene, while Naveed remains wounded and is expected to survive his injuries to face criminal charges.
42 people, including four children, were injured and taken to hospitals across Sydney. As of Monday afternoon, NSW Health said 27 people were still receiving treatment, as six people remain in critical condition.
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Following the attack, Ahmed al Ahmed has been praised for fighting a gunman and risking his own life by grappling the gun away from a shooter and forcing him to retreat.
In a video shared on social media, the 43-year-old is seen pointing taking the weapon off him and setting it on the ground as another member of the public appears.
Ahmed, who may lose his arm from bullet wounds, said from hospital [translated]: "I went through a difficult time. God knows. Thanks be to God. Praise God for everything.
"May God reward your efforts young men."
The dad-of-two added: "You must pray for us. May God heal you and bring you home safely."
Meanwhile, Ahmed’s father, Mohamed Fateh al Ahmed, said he visited his heroic son in hospital and claimed 'he was in good spirits'.
"He said he thanks God that he was able to do this, to help innocent people and to save people from these monsters, these killers," he said.
The dad told ABC Australia that Ahmed was simply in the area to have a coffee with a friend.
"They got there and were shocked to see armed men firing weapons at terrorists," he explained.
"Their lives were in danger. He noticed one of the armed men in a distance from him, hiding behind a tree.
"My son is a hero, he served with the police and in the central security forces, and he has the impulse to protect people."
Calling his son 'a hero of Australia', he added: "When he saw people laying on the ground, and the blood everywhere, immediately his conscience and his soul compelled him to pounce on one of the terrorists and to rid him of his weapon."
His mother, Malakeh Hasan al Ahmed, also agreed: "I’m proud that my son was helping people. He saved lives, souls. God would not harm him because he was a do-gooder.
"He saw they were dying and people were losing their lives, and when that guy ran out of ammo, he took it from him, but he was hit. We pray that God saves him."
Topics: News, World News, Australia
Anish Vij