Actions of hero bystanders and firefighters showed ‘Australian mateship’

The actions of bystanders and firefighters who helped pin down alleged Sydney CBD knifeman Mert Ney have been praised as a demonstration of the “ANZAC spirit” and Australian mateship.

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Exclusive: The heroic actions of firefighters and members of the public in chasing down and tackling a man armed with a bloody knife in the CBD yesterday was a heartening demonstration of the “ANZAC spirit”, according to NSW Fire and Rescue Assistant Commissioner Paul McGuiggan.

“The fact that these random people could come together to stop this man, that is one of the best (demonstrations of the) Australian tradition of mateship,” he said.

A group of bystanders brought Ney to the ground after his alleged rampage. Picture: Marc Kean

Firefighters and members of the public were involved in the arrest before police arrived on the scene. Picture: Marc Kean

“It is the ANZAC spirit. You’ve got a man holding a chair endangering his own life to protect others.”

“Then you have two of our men putting themselves on the frontline chasing the (accused) offender down.”

Two firefighters, one aged in his late 20s the other in his early 40s, played a key role in apprehending Ney.

Lee Cuthbert and Paul O'Shaughnessy were involved in stopping Ney. Picture: Toby Zerna

Alex Roberts, Lee Cuthbert and Paul O'Shaughnessy. Picture: Toby Zerna

“The younger man summed up the situation very well, he was one of first people to engage the man,” Assistant Commissioner McGuiggan said.

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“He grabbed a firefighter’s crowbar and confronted him, he told me that he deliberately wanted to make himself known to the man with the knife.”

“Then when the chase happened he was the one yelling out and telling members of the public to get out of the way.”

Another man (right) was seen chasing Ney with a chair in an effort to stop him. Picture: Twitter/@Ayusha77

He chased Ney as the alleged knifeman jumped onto cars. Picture: Seven News

His older colleague controlled the situation until police arrived and showed “great leadership” to defuse the situation.

“Once the man was tackled to the ground and held down. There was a fear it could almost spill into a mob mentally,” Assistant Commissioner McGuiggan said.

The effort from firefighters and bystanders has been praised as “heroic”. Picture: Seven News

“He took command of the situation and said they were not doing anything until the police arrived.”

“That showed a different type of bravery and leadership — I am very proud of all of them.”