Matthew Wright sparked concern from LBC listeners after appearing to breakdown as he reacted to the tragic events unfolding live in Australia.
While the radio presenter was on air on Sunday morning, New South Wales Police reported that two gunmen had opened fire at Bondi Beach. Multiple people died in the shooting with two police officers also injured.
The news came hours after two students died and nine other people were injured after a mass shooting at Brown University in the US.
An LBC journalist at the scene alerted listeners to ‘scary scenes coming from Australia’ as the second shooting was documented during Matthew’s breakfast show.
“Australia is a country which has largely escaped the scourge of mass shootings which do appear to plague everywhere these days. New Zealand has also had a terrible time of it,” said Matthew after the bulletin. “It’s such a lovely, chilled hippy dippy place. It’s difficult to reconcile.
“I’m not a religions person but I will be hoping with every fibre of my being that the reports of no bodies is how this story stays. It’s difficult to believe it,” he told listeners.
Minutes later the news broke that at least ten people had been injured at the famous holiday hotspot.
“I find these things very distressing. It’s terrible, terrible news,” said Matthew. Before taking a breath he said: “What a world.”
As he continued to inform listeners of the other stories of the day, he admitted, “It’s difficult to park events in Australia out of my mind and your mind I’m sure.
“I appreciate all the support when my voice cracks on air. For those of you who don’t know I have PTSD and struggle with death… suicide in particular. But any kind of death does set me off.
“I just don’t understand how anyone wakes up in the morning and thinks, ‘I’m gonna pick up a gun and kill people’. I don’t understand it.”
“I’m very distressed about events in Australia. It’s all too frequent there was a shooting in America overnight,” he added.
Two people have now been arrested following the shooting incident at Bondi Beach.
New South Wales Police warned the public of a developing incident at Bondi Beach on Sunday, where two people with guns reportedly opened fire on beachgoers.
People were advised to avoid the area and take shelter as police responded to the incident.
“Two people are in police custody at Bondi Beach; however, the police operation is ongoing and we continue to urge people to avoid the area,” NSW Police Force said in a statement published on X.
A Jewish Hanukkah celebration had reportedly started in the area of the shooting, according to ABC News – although there has been no official confirmation that this event was a target. Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is an eight-day festival of light.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she would speak with her Australian counterpart later on Sunday about the incident on Bondi Beach.
She told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg show: “I’ve just seen the breaking news as I’ve arrived into the studio here this morning.
“I can fully understand the anxiety this might be causing people here at home about relatives over in Australia, but first and foremost, our thoughts must be with the victims of this attack in Australia and with with the Australian people as well.
“We will obviously watch closely as details emerge of what exactly has happened, and I’ll be talking to my Australian counterpart later on today.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing.
“Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected. I just have spoken to the AFP commissioner and the NSW premier. We are working with NSW Police and will provide further updates as more information is confirmed.
“I urge people in the vicinity to follow information from the NSW Police.”
Source: Mirror
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