Meet Australia’s new hero, the ‘Bollard Man’ who fought off a Sydney knifeman

Frenchman Damien Guerot made global headlines for his bravery during the harrowing incident at Westfield Bondi Junction in Australia. Mr Gallo, now known as “The Bollard Man”, came face to face with his attacker, Joel Couch, during the attack that left five women and one man dead. The attacker, armed with a knife, injured 12 people and was later shot dead by police.

Damien Guerrot’s brave act was captured in a viral video in which he and his friend Silas Despreaux, both construction workers, instinctively heard the screams of their victims. The cry was followed by immediate action. They confronted Mr Couch on the escalator, with Mr Gero waving bollards in defence. Despite their efforts to stop Mr. Couch, he fled down the escalator, but Mr. Gero pursued him. Eventually, Inspector Amy Scott shot and killed the attacker, ending the chase.

In 2018, a brave man used a shopping cart to stop a terrorist attack on Melbourne’s Bourke Street. In 2024, this is a brave one with bollards. I can think of better tools to stop mass stabbings. pic.twitter.com/n1pAk4bHyb

— Daniel (@VoteLewko) April 13, 2024

Who is Damian Gero?

1. Damien Guerot is a French construction worker who has been living in Australia.
2. Mr Gallo told Australian television network Channel 7, sharing his first reaction to seeing Mr Couch: “We just saw him coming… and we were thinking, ‘We need to try to stop him'”
3. “We didn’t think about it, it was like you couldn’t think in that moment, it was like adrenaline,” Damien Guerot reflected when describing the attack. “It was like those empty eyes .(Joel Couch) was like, well, it’s not there,” he recalled.
4. The public has called Damien Gero a “hero” and advocated for him to be granted Australian citizenship, calling his act of bravery a “true act of Australianism”.
5. Damien Guerot’s future in Australia is uncertain as his visa expires next month. Now, with his heroic career over, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised Mr Gero permanent residency. “I say to Damian Gehlot, who is processing the visa application, you are welcome here. You are welcome to stay as long as you want,” the prime minister said.