They faced the Bondi terror attack as friends. They emerged with a love story
Alexandra Edmondson and James McIntosh will be married in a park near Bondi Beach. Their love story began less than a year earlier, in the middle of a terror attack that took the lives of 15 people
Alexandra Edmondson and James McIntosh, who faced a Bondi terror attack as friends, are now set to marry in a park near the beach on November 20, 2026. Their love story began on December 14, 2025, amidst the chaos of the attack that claimed 15 lives. Both had recently completed a course on water safety and resuscitation techniques during which they became friends.
On the day of the attack, Edmondson and McIntosh were walking towards the beach when they heard gunshots. McIntosh quickly covered Edmondson and they hid together, with McIntosh trying to assess the situation. Edmondson recalled the harrowing moments and McIntosh's actions to get a better view of the shooter. After the shooting ceased, they moved to help the injured, working together to transport a man who had been shot in the leg to the paramedics. The day was harrowing but they faced it together.
The trauma of the event took its toll, leaving many belongings behind at the surf club. Edmondson's wallet and phone were left behind, and it took days before she could retrieve them. McIntosh stayed with her, ensuring she was safe and connected with those who might be worried. As the days went by, they began to realize their feelings for each other grew stronger. One day, McIntosh asked Edmondson to kiss him, marking the beginning of their romantic relationship.
The bond formed during the attack also brought them closer to the Jewish community. Edmondson shared that she had not fully understood the fear of living as a Jew in Australia and wanted to stand with the Jewish people. They attended events at the Central Synagogue and participated in a ceremony for first responders. Edmondson expressed her support for the Jewish community and expressed her desire to marry at the bondi beach, making it the first non-Jewish wedding officiated by Rabbi Levi Wolff.
Their wedding will be a celebration of love and unity, aiming to bring some beauty back to a beach that felt unsafe in the aftermath of the attack.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
