Australian Fashion Designer Pip Edwards Recounts Terrifying Survival During Deadly Bondi Beach Shooting

The tragic shooting incident has now claimed 16 lives.

Australian fashion designer Pip Edwards, 45, narrowly escaped death during the horrific shooting at Bondi Beach. She and her friend Jess Engles were forced to seek shelter when gunmen began firing indiscriminately at the crowd.

"We immediately ducked between two parked vans as the shots continued to fire incessantly, and quite literally as close as two metres away," Edwards recounted in her Instagram statement on Monday.

The attack allegedly involved Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid Akram, 50, who began shooting at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration shortly before 7pm on Sunday.

Edwards described how they had to crawl under a van for protection as the violence unfolded around them.

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A post shared by Pip Edwards (@pipedwards)

"We had to immediately take refuge under a van and watch the gunman's feet with his gun pace in front of the van right at our heads," she wrote in her harrowing account.

According to Edwards, a civilian distracted the shooters, allowing them to remain hidden. She and Engles remained trapped under the van for approximately 15 minutes, "convulsing with fear, frozen, trapped," struggling to stay silent while barely able to breathe.

"In that moment, all we could do was hold tight onto each other, squeezing together so close, in hope. 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 detailed.

When the shooting finally ceased, a friend managed to help them to safety despite police barriers in the area.

Authorities shot and killed Sajid Akram at the scene, while his son was shot and taken into custody in critical condition.

"I cannot comprehend nor compute it at all. All I can say is that I am beyond grateful to have survived," Edwards expressed.

"This crazy, wild, and unnecessarily brutal incident is incomprehensible - unfolding among innocent people enjoying a glorious Bondi summer's day," she continued.

"I am properly shook to the core and grieving for all who died, all who were injured and those who survived and are now trying to make sense of what is the most inhumane, profoundly senseless act ever!"

Engles also shared a brief message on her Instagram Story, later reshared by Edwards: "Hi. Me and Pip are not injured. We were surrounded by the gunmen hiding under a van. Our car plus (others) around us were shot. We saw their feet and guns in front of our van. I cannot elaborate now. Please don't contact me about this right now."

NSW Police confirmed Monday morning that the death toll had risen to 16, including a 10-year-old girl and a 40-year-old man who succumbed to their injuries in hospital. The victims' ages ranged from 10 to 87 years old.

Following the attack, authorities conducted a bomb disposal operation on a vehicle on Campbell Parade after suspecting it contained improvised explosive devices, which have since been secured and removed. Investigators are also examining the possibility of a third person's involvement in the attack.

Police stated this shooting is the deadliest in Australia in almost three decades, particularly significant in a country with strict gun control legislation.