A Westfield security guard injured in the terrifying Bondi Junction rampage says he will never forget how he watched helplessly as his colleague was stabbed to death by a rampaging knifeman.
Five women and security guard Faraz Tahir were stabbed to death when Joel Cauchi attacked innocent bystanders in a frenzy last Saturday.
Security guard Muhammad Taha is still recovering in hospital after being stabbed in the stomach during the attack.
He recalled the moment he and his new colleague Mr Tahir came face to face with Cauchi, when a new vision of the pair emerged moments before they were attacked.
Muhammad Taha (pictured) broke his silence from his hospital bed, six days after being stabbed in the stomach in
The Westfield security guard had been walking around Faraz Tahir on his first day on the job when they became caught up in the commotion.
The couple had been sharing stories about their families in their homeland of Pakistan moments before the chaos.
Footage filmed by a shopper shows security guards walking through Westfield before being alerted by screams as a male onlooker frantically pointed them in the direction of Cauchi, who had already begun his rampage.
A woman was heard calling for an ambulance while bystanders were seen in the background helping injured victims.
The security guards moved off camera as they headed toward an injured woman lying on the ground when they were discovered by Cauchi.
“He suddenly noticed us, jumped on Faraz and stabbed him in the chest,” he told Nine News from his hospital bed.
‘When Faraz turned around, there was blood all over his chest, I was very surprised.
‘At the same time, he jumped towards me.
“I tried to defend myself, I tried to use my hands and somehow he managed to stab me in the stomach.”
At first, Mr Taha did not realize he had been injured and his only concern was for his colleague, who was on his first day at work.
‘I was just looking after Faraz. I tried to help him,’ she said.
Westfield security guard Faraz Tahir died after being stabbed in the chest.
Mr. Taha called his His best friend, Muhammad Fahad, who also works as a security guard at the mall, ran to the aid of his colleagues.
“He did everything in his ability (to help), he helped me, other people and Faraz, so I’m very grateful for him,” Taha said.
“There was a lot of blood. He put pressure on my side. Thanks to him I survived.
“Without him, I wouldn’t be here.”
He had no idea Tahir had died until two days after the stabbing.
It could have been me (the one who died). There was a very mixed feeling, I can’t even express it, I was speechless at that moment.
Taha also thanked Premier Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns for approving his permanent residency in Australia.
The Prime Minister said people like Mr Taha were welcome in Australia.
“This is again another person who just arrived, who was here working and risked his life to protect Australians he didn’t know,” Albanese said on Thursday night.
“In the midst of all this carnage and pain, there are stories of bravery… he’s certainly the type of character we want to continue to contribute here in Australia.”
Sydneysiders paid tribute as Westfield Bondi Junction reopened for business on Friday
Taha now wants the same recognition of citizenship for his best friend who saved his life.
“I want that (same recognition) for Fahad, he deserves it,” Mr Taha said.
Westfield Bondi Junction reopened on Friday, six days after the rampage.
About 30 stores remained closed.
Thousands of people will flock to Bondi Beach this Sunday for a candlelight vigil in memory of the six victims.
The vigil begins at 5:30 p.m.