Fashion designer Pip Edwards has broken her silence on the harrowing Bondi Beach terror attack, sharing a heart-racing account of survival alongside new photos with the heroic friend who saved her.
A Day of Terror on Bondi Beach
The deadly incident unfolded on December 14 at Australia's iconic Bondi Beach, where hundreds had gathered for the 'Chanukah by the Sea' event. Two heavily armed men, allegedly Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, Sajid Akram, 50, stood on a pedestrian footbridge and opened fire with military-grade weapons into the crowd.
The attack resulted in a devastating toll: 16 people lost their lives, including alleged gunman Sajid Akram, while a further 42 people, including four children, were taken to hospital. Police confirmed victims ranged in age from 10 to 87 years old.
Trapped Under a Van: Pip Edwards' 15-Minute Nightmare
Pip Edwards, the 45-year-old founder of activewear label P.E Nation, was leaving the beach with a friend when the shooting began metres behind them. In a lengthy Instagram post, she described the attack as a "crazy, wild, and unnecessarily brutal" act.
"The shots kept firing and we rolled from side to side under the van to hide behind the wheels, as the gunmen's feet walked around us, trying not to be seen," Edwards wrote. She recounted being convulsed with fear, trapped, and believing "this was it for us," as bullets struck surrounding vehicles.
After what felt like an eternity, a civilian's intervention distracted the gunmen, pulling them away from her hiding spot. When the gunfire finally stopped, her former flame and friend, Chris Woods from New Zealand, broke through barricades to find her, shield her, and extract her from beneath the van.
Gratitude and Recovery in the Aftermath
This week, Edwards showcased her immense gratitude, sharing a gallery of sun-drenched photos on social media. The images captured her enjoying quality time with her son, Justice, and her heroic friend Chris Woods, who had flown to be with her.
One photo showed Edwards looking radiant in a black-and-white bikini, while another featured Woods showcasing his muscular frame. A further image captured the group beaming as they headed out to dinner.
She captioned the photos with poignant words: "Soooo lucky and beyond grateful to have you home with me for the past week... I've really truly missed you." The posts signify a powerful moment of recovery and thankfulness following the traumatic events that shocked Sydney and the world.
