Jack Hibbert was presented with a signed Redcliffe Dolphins jersey as he reocvers ta home. Photo / Police Association of NSW
Jack Hibbert was presented with a signed Redcliffe Dolphins jersey as he reocvers ta home. Photo / Police Association of NSW
A young policeman shot twice and left blinded in one eye as he responded to the Bondi Beach terror attack has been pictured for the first time since being released from hospital.
Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert was patrolling the Chanukah by the Sea event on December 14 when two terroristsopened fire at Jewish families celebrating in a park.
The 22-year-old was shot in the head and the shoulder. He was left in a critical condition, later placed into intensive care and has undergone a number of surgeries.
The Police Association of NSW shared the first photo of Hibbert overnight.
The officer, who was four months into the job, is shown all smiles at home when visited by Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco, NSW Police Association acting president Ian Allwood and businessman Mark Bouris, who was representing the NRL.
Hibbert appeared relaxed in a white T-shirt and black shorts as he was gifted a Redcliffe Dolphins jersey signed by the Queensland-based rugby league team.
“It’s Christmas come early! A massive Dolphins fan, Jack was presented with a special jersey,” the Facebook post read.
The photo was flooded with supportive comments from the public.
The NSW Police Association has said it will support Hibbert as he continues to work through his recovery.
Police officer Jack Hibbert, who was shot in the Bondi terror attack, is back home as donations surge to support his recovery. Photo / Getty Images
NSW Police Legacy, the official charity of the NSW Police Force, set up a fundraising appeal for Constable Hibbert hoping to raise A$25,000 ($28,700) to help the officer “move forward with the many challenges he now has ahead of him”.
That appeal had hit more than A$620,000 as of Christmas morning.
Hibbert’s family confirmed on Tuesday he had been discharged and was recovering at home before December 25, describing it as a “miracle”.
“As a family, we couldn’t ask for anything more – having our Jack home, especially for Christmas, truly feels like a miracle,” his family said in a statement.
“We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support, kind messages and well wishes from the community, Jack’s colleagues, friends and the emergency services.
“The care and dedication shown by the medical staff has been nothing short of exceptional.”
The family has requested privacy as he continues his recovery.
“Thank you again for the compassion, love, and support shown to our family,” the statement said.
“Jacko, you’ve shown strength of a different degree. We are so glad you’re home, buddy.”
The family of Police Constable Scott Dyson also shared an update on Tuesday, revealing he had been woken from a medically induced coma nine days after being shot.
In a statement, they said it was a “positive sign” but “there is still a long way to go in his recovery”. Loved ones say he has undergone surgeries “almost daily”.
“We would like to thank the public for the support, messages and well wishes shown to Scott and our family during this difficult time,” the family said.
They have also requested privacy.
As of Christmas Day, 11 victims were still in hospital, NSW Health said on Thursday morning.
One patient is in a stable condition at Prince of Wales Hospital.
One person is in a critical but stable condition and another is in a stable condition at St George Hospital.
One patient is in a critical but stable condition and three more are in a stable condition at St Vincent’s Hospital.
Three patients are in a stable condition at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
One patient is in a stable condition at Royal North Shore Hospital.
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