“He Has Opened His Eyes” – The Emotional Milestone in Constable Scott Dyson’s Fight for Life After Bondi Terror Attack
Sydney, Australia – January 8, 2026 – After more than a week in a medically induced coma, NSW Police Constable Scott Dyson, 25, has finally opened his eyes – a moment his family describes as a profoundly positive sign amid an agonising recovery from multiple gunshot wounds sustained in the Bondi Beach terror attack.
thenightly.com.au
thenightly.com.au
On December 14, 2025, Dyson and his colleague, Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert, 22, rushed toward danger during a Hanukkah celebration at Archer Park near Bondi Beach. Alleged gunmen Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24 – inspired by Islamic State ideology – opened fire on the crowd of over 1,000, killing 15 people and injuring dozens in what authorities classified as a terrorist act.
Dyson, attached to the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command for 18 months, suffered critical injuries requiring immediate induction into a coma. His family revealed the grueling reality: surgeons operated on him “almost daily” to stabilise life-threatening wounds, manage internal damage, and prevent complications from multiple bullet impacts.
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In a statement released on December 23, the family shared the news everyone had been praying for: “Scott has been getting stronger each day, and today, he was woken up for the first time.” While emphasising that “there is still a long way to go in his recovery,” they called it a beacon of hope after 15 days of uncertainty.
The “terrifying cost” of survival lies in the sheer physical toll: near-constant surgical interventions to repair damage, control bleeding, and address trauma from high-velocity rounds. Hypothetically, such frequent operations – often involving debridement, reconstruction, or infection prevention – reflect the severity of injuries that threatened organ failure or permanent disability, turning Dyson’s body into a battlefield long after the shooting ended.
His partner in heroism, Constable Hibbert – just four months on the job – was discharged home just before Christmas, though he permanently lost vision in one eye from head and shoulder wounds. His family hailed it a “miracle,” noting his continued bravery even after being shot.
Australia rallied behind the officers, with fundraisers exceeding $400,000 each and widespread tributes praising their selflessness. Vigils at Bondi featured candles, flowers, and messages of solidarity, as the nation mourned the antisemitic-motivated attack.
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Naveed Akram faces 59 charges, including terrorism and murder, while his father was killed by police. Investigations continue into the pair’s preparations, including firearms training and a manifesto.
As Dyson remains in hospital – serious but stable – his awakening offers light in a dark chapter. Hypothetically, the road ahead may involve rehabilitation for mobility, pain management, and psychological healing from trauma. Yet this milestone underscores resilience: a young officer who ran toward gunfire now fighting back to life.
The family thanked medical teams and the public, requesting privacy as focus stays on recovery. In a nation still healing, Dyson’s opened eyes symbolise hope – proof that heroism endures, even when the nightmare lingers.
