“For 15 Days, Constable Scott Dyson Has Been Fighting for His Life in an Induced Coma. At Last, His Family Has Shared the News Everyone Had Been Praying For: He Has Opened His Eyes”
For 15 agonising days, Victoria Police Constable Scott Dyson has been fighting for his life in a medically induced coma following a brutal shooting during the Bondi Beach terror attack on December 15, 2025. At last, his family has shared the news everyone had been praying for: the 25-year-old officer has opened his eyes.
The update came in a brief but emotional statement from Dyson’s family on December 30, 2025, as Christmas approached. “Scott has opened his eyes,” they announced, describing it as a “miracle” after near-daily surgeries since the massacre. “There is still a long way to go in his recovery,” the family cautioned, but the breakthrough has brought renewed hope to colleagues, friends, and a nation still reeling from the tragedy.
Dyson was one of two officers wounded in the attack at Archer Park during a Hanukkah celebration, where Sajid Akram and his son Naveed allegedly opened fire, killing 15 people including children. Dyson, attached to the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command for 18 months, was shot in the shoulder and sustained extensive injuries requiring emergency surgery. Fellow probationary constable Jack Hibbert, 22, was also critically hurt but discharged home for Christmas after losing vision in one eye.
The family’s words have touched hearts across Australia. “He was able to get off a shot at the alleged gunmen despite being critically injured,” NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said, praising Dyson’s bravery. Hibbert’s family hailed his “miraculous” survival, while Dyson’s update sparked #ScottDysonStrong trending nationwide.
Dyson, a newly recruited officer, was responding to the unfolding horror when chaos erupted. Witnesses recall him among the first hit, yet he reportedly fired back before collapsing. His recovery at St Vincent’s Hospital has involved multiple operations to repair nerve damage and shoulder trauma.
Colleagues from the Eastern Suburbs command have rallied, with NSW Police Legacy raising funds exceeding $500,000 for both officers and families. “Scott is a fighter,” a fellow constable said. “Opening his eyes is the first step — he’s got a long road, but we’re all behind him.”
The Bondi attack, Australia’s deadliest mass shooting since Port Arthur, claimed 15 lives, including Rabbi Daniel Liebel and young children. Dyson’s awakening offers a glimmer of light amid grief, as investigations into Akram’s radicalisation and Sajid’s role continue.
For Dyson’s wife and family, the news is bittersweet. “The cost of survival is terrifying,” they noted, alluding to potential long-term challenges like mobility issues or PTSD. Yet hope endures. “Scott’s eyes lighting up when he sees us — that’s everything,” a relative shared.
As Australia reflects on a year marked by tragedy, Constable Dyson’s milestone symbolises resilience. The young officer, who joined to “hate crime,” now embodies the thin blue line’s courage. His family urges continued prayers: “He’s breathing on his own, responding — but the nightmare is far from over.”
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton visited, calling Dyson “a dedicated officer who put himself in harm’s way.” Vigils continue, with #PrayForScottDyson uniting supporters.
From induced coma to opening eyes, Dyson’s battle rages on — a testament to survival’s grueling price. The nation watches, willing him strength for the journey ahead.